Agoracom Blog

Enthusiast Gaming $EGLX.ca Targets Mobile Gaming Market with LOI to Acquire Steel Media, the Leading Global Mobile Gaming Media and Events Company #Esports $ATVI $TTWO $GAME $EPY.ca $TCEHF

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 8:17 AM on Tuesday, December 18th, 2018
  • Will position Enthusiast as a leading publisher in the mobile gaming industry with significant growth of online and offline gaming community

  • Owner of over 20 mobile gaming websites and Pocket Gamer brand, the leading mobile gaming media website

  • Operates 25 live events in 11 countries, including the largest B2B mobile gaming event in North America and Europe

TORONTO, Dec. 18, 2018 – Enthusiast Gaming Holdings Inc. (TSXV: EGLX), (“Enthusiast” or the “Company”)  a digital media company building the largest community of authentic gamers, is excited to announce that it has entered into a non-binding Letter of Intent (“LOI”) to acquire all of the shares of Steel Media Limited (“Steel Media”), the largest mobile gaming network in the world, which holds a significant portfolio of consumer and B2B websites, and a series of successful global live networking events.

Founded in 2005 by publishing experts with a focus on quality editorial, Steel Media is the media company behind over 20 mobile gaming media websites including: pocketgamer.com, pocketgamer.biz, appspy.com, and 148apps.com; and is the owner and operator of over 25 video game networking events in 11 different countries.  

Pocket Gamer (www.pocketgamer.com) is the world’s leading destination for the mobile gaming community, including: iPhone, iPad, Android, Nintendo Switch, 3DS and more. As one of the most recognized brand in the mobile gaming industry, Pocket Gamer has over 2 million monthly impressions on mobile and web, and covers multiple sites, events and even printed magazines. The addition of Pocket Gamer to the network will enable Enthusiast to capitalize on the fastest growing segment in the gaming sector, mobile gaming.

Menashe Kestenbaum, CEO of Enthusiast Gaming commented, “Steel Media has built a well-recognized gaming brand and successful businesses across mobile, B2B and events that will enable Enthusiast to scale our business quickly.  We have seen a significant increase in mobile gaming, and like Esports, mobile gaming continues to be a huge segment in the industry. The acquisition will position Enthusiast as a leader in the mobile gaming sector and will allow us to take advantage of the continued growth within the industry.”

Offline, Steel Media is an industry leader in B2B and consumer mobile gaming events.  They own and operate numerous successful networking events around the world with 15,000 registered industry attendees and key sponsors and partners. Steel Media hosts Pocket Gamer Party, Top 50 Developer Guide, Mobile Mixers, the Mobile Games Awards, and Pocket Gamer Connects, the largest B2B mobile games conference series in the west, with events in London, San Francisco, Helsinki and additional locations in 2019.

Kestenbaum continued, “Steel Media’s series of successful and well established events worldwide will  provide an excellent platform for Enthusiast’s event business. Our goal has always been to expand EGLX, and we continue to look at opportunities for multi-city expansion. Having Steel Media’s network of events on our platform will provide synergies for growth and provides access to the international stage.”

Under the terms of the LOI, Enthusiast has a binding exclusivity period of 120 days or the agreed upon closing date, whichever is later, to complete due diligence and negotiate and settle definitive transaction documentation. The purchase price is expected to be in the range of USD $2,500,000 (CAD $3,353,125) plus an earn-out amount, bringing the total purchase price up to USD $3,000,000 (CAD $4,023,750) based on performance of Steel Media post-closing. There can be no assurances that the transaction will, ultimately, be completed on the terms set out in the LOI or at all, as Enthusiast Gaming must be completely satisfied with the results of due diligence. The LOI includes a two way break fee of USD $50,000 which is triggered by a party’s failure to execute definitive documentation as contemplated in the LOI. If the acquisition of Steel Media is completed, Enthusiast’s network will grow to over 100 websites and will also significantly expand Enthusiast’s reach into Europe.

About Enthusiast

Founded in 2014, Enthusiast is the fastest-growing online community of video gamers. Through the Company’s unique acquisition strategy, it has a platform of over 80 owned and affiliated websites and currently reaches over 75 million monthly visitors with its unique and curated content. Enthusiast also owns and operates Canada’s largest gaming expo, Enthusiast Gaming Live Expo, EGLX, (www.eglx.ca). Over 30,000 people attended EGLX in October 2018. For more information on the Company, visit www.enthusiastgaming.com.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Investor Relations:
Julia Becker
Head of Investor Relations & Marketing
[email protected]
(604) 785.0850

This news release contains certain statements that may constitute forward-looking information under applicable securities laws. All statements, other than those of historical fact, which address activities, events, outcomes, results, developments, performance or achievements that Enthusiast anticipates or expects may or will occur in the future (in whole or in part) should be considered forward-looking information. Such information may involve, but is not limited to, comments with respect to strategies, expectations, planned operations and future actions of the Company. Often, but not always, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of words such as “plans”, “expects”, “is expected”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “estimates”, “forecasts”, “intends”, “anticipates”, or “believes” or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases, or statements formed in the future tense or indicating that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” (or other variations of the forgoing) be taken, occur, be achieved, or come to pass. Forward-looking information is based on currently available competitive, financial and economic data and operating plans, strategies or beliefs as of the date of this news release, but involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Enthusiast to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such factors may be based on information currently available to Enthusiast, including information obtained from third-party industry analysts and other third-party sources, and are based on management’s current expectations or beliefs regarding future growth, results of operations, future capital (including the amount, nature and sources of funding thereof) and expenditures. Any and all forward-looking information contained in this press release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Trading in the securities of the Company should be considered highly speculative.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

The securities of the Corporation have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirement. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

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2018 Tax Loss Selling Stock-Picking Contest

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 8:07 AM on Tuesday, December 18th, 2018

Tax loss selling season is upon us once again and you know what that means … George vs Allan Stock Picking Contest!! In this special episode, George and Allan give their Top 5 Tax Loss Selling Candidates (+ 1 Bonus Pick) that are most likely to provide a pop to their portfolios by January 30, 2019. There is a lot on the line in the wager between the two, with each providing completely different picks from the other and some great potential trades for viewers.

*NOTE – Due to a family emergency in February, Allan and I weren’t able to post our contest closing video with the results. However, the final results were as follows:

George + 40.2% (Winner)

Allan + 19.74%

Pretty damn good returns by both of us for 45 days!

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Good Life Networks Inc. $GOOD.ca Enters Agreements With Major Canadian Financial Institution to Fund Acquisitions and Support Growth Strategy

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 6:19 PM on Monday, December 17th, 2018
  • Entered a commercial agreement with a Major Canadian Financial Institution to provide credit facilities that will give GLN access to an aggregate total of $11,250,000.
  • Included among the credit facilities is a $5,000,000 revolving line of credit to help support working capital as the company scales, and an acquisition line of credit to support company M&A strategies

VANCOUVER, Dec. 17, 2018 – Good Life Networks Inc. (“GLN“, or the “Company“) (TSXV: GOOD) (FSE: 4G5), a programmatic advertising technology company, today announced that it has entered a commercial agreement with a Major Canadian Financial Institution to provide credit facilities that will give GLN access to an aggregate total of $11,250,000. Included among the credit facilities is a $5,000,000 revolving line of credit to help support working capital as the company scales, and an acquisition line of credit to support company M&A strategies. Management plans to access funds from the acquisition line of credit to complete a recently announced acquisition.

“The credit facilities will help us meet our growth objectives while maximizing shareholder value,” said GLN CEO Jesse Dylan. “We are thrilled to be working with a Major Canadian Financial Institution now and in the future as we continue to scale our business.”

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

The GLN Story
GLN’s technology is the engine that sits between advertisers and publishers. The GLN Platform is built for cross device video advertising: Mobile, In-App, Desktop and CTV (Connected Television). The Programmatic Video Marketing Platform is powered by GLN’s Patent Pending proprietary machine learning technology that targets and connects digital advertisers with consumers three times faster than industry standards, with among the lowest fraud rates among vendors without collecting PII (Personal Identifiable Information).

The Programmatic Video Technology Platform features integrations at the server level with both Publishers and Advertisers. Our technology quickly finds the most valuable advertisement for every consumer. Publishers make more money through improved CPM (advertising fill rate) combined with a more engaged consumer experience. Advertisers make more money by reaching their target audience more effectively. GLN makes money by retaining a percentage of the advertiser’s fee.

GLN is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada with offices in the US and UK and trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the stock symbol “GOOD” and The Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the stock symbol 4G5.  

Addressable Market: The total media ad spend worldwide will rise 7.4% to $628.63 billion by this year, according to “Global Ad Spending: The eMarketer Forecast for 2018.” By 2020, digital’s share of total advertising will near 50%.

Forward Looking Statements:
Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect the expectations or beliefs regarding future events of management of GLN. This information and these statements, referred to herein as “forward‐looking statements”, are not historical facts, are made as of the date of this news release and include without limitation, statements regarding discussions of future plans, estimates and forecasts and statements as to management’s expectations and intentions with respect to the performance of the company. These statements generally can be identified by use of forward-looking words such as “may”, “will”, “expect”, “estimate”, “anticipate”, “intends”, “believe” or “continue” or the negative thereof or similar variations. These forward‐looking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties and actual results might differ materially from results suggested in any forward-looking statements. Important factors that may cause actual results to vary include without limitation, risks relating to the digital advertising industry and general economic conditions, success of acquisitions and any growth strategies implemented utilizing the noted debt instrument.  In making the forward‐looking statements in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including without limitation that any acquisitions and corporate directives and initiatives will be successfully completed in the time expected by management and produce the desired results, generate the anticipated revenue and expand GLN’s global reach per management’s expectations. GLN does not assume any obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those reflected in the forward looking-statements, other than as required by applicable securities laws. Additional information identifying risks and uncertainties is contained in GLN’s filings with the Canadian securities regulators, which filings are available at www.sedar.com.

SOURCE Good Life Networks Inc.

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PyroGenesis $PYR.ca Announces $3,045,000 Non-Brokered Private Placement

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 4:45 PM on Monday, December 17th, 2018

    • Announced today that it intends to complete a non-brokered private placement financing  for gross proceeds up to $3,045,000, by issuing 5,250,000 Units at a price of $0.85 per Unit for which it has received conditional approval from the TSXV.
    • “The timing of this financing may seem a bit unusual given recent press releases,” said Mr. P. Peter Pascali, President and CEO of PyroGenesis. “However, management decided to take advantage of this proposal given the opportunities before us, all of which we expect will become much clearer within the next 3 weeks.”

    NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

    MONTREAL, Dec. 17, 2018 — PyroGenesis Canada Inc. (http://pyrogenesis.com) (TSX-V: PYR) (OTCQB: PYRNF), a TSX Venture 50® high-tech company, (the “Company”, the “Corporation” or “PyroGenesis”) a Company that designs, develops, manufactures and commercializes plasma atomized metal powder, plasma waste-to-energy systems and plasma torch products, is pleased to announce today that it intends to complete a non-brokered private placement financing (the “Offering”) for gross proceeds up to $3,045,000, by issuing 5,250,000 Units at a price of $0.85 per Unit for which it has received conditional approval from the TSXV.

    “The timing of this financing may seem a bit unusual given recent press releases,” said Mr. P. Peter Pascali, President and CEO of PyroGenesis. “However, management decided to take advantage of this proposal given the opportunities before us, all of which we expect will become much clearer within the next 3 weeks.”

    Each Unit will consist of one common share in the capital of the Company and one full common share purchase warrant (“Unit Warrant”), each full Unit Warrant entitling the holder to acquire one common share of the Company at a price of $0.85 until December 18th, 2020.

    The Corporation will pay a finder’s fee of 7% on a portion of the proceeds of this Private Placement. The Corporation will not issue any finder’s compensation warrants in connection with this Private Placement.

    The proceeds from the Private Placement will be used by the Corporation for general corporate purposes.

    The Private Placement is subject to the final approval of the TSX Venture Exchange (“TSXV”) as well as other customary closing conditions.

    This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities of 1933, as amended, or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States, unless an exemption from such registration is available.

    About PyroGenesis Canada Inc.

    PyroGenesis Canada Inc., a TSX Venture 50® high-tech company, is the world leader in the design, development, manufacture and commercialization of advanced plasma processes and products. We provide engineering and manufacturing expertise, cutting-edge contract research, as well as turnkey process equipment packages to the defense, metallurgical, mining, advanced materials (including 3D printing), oil & gas, and environmental industries. With a team of experienced engineers, scientists and technicians working out of our Montreal office and our 3,800 m2 manufacturing facility, PyroGenesis maintains its competitive advantage by remaining at the forefront of technology development and commercialization. Our core competencies allow PyroGenesis to lead the way in providing innovative plasma torches, plasma waste processes, high-temperature metallurgical processes, and engineering services to the global marketplace. Our operations are ISO 9001:2015 certified, and have been since 1997. PyroGenesis is a publicly-traded Canadian Corporation on the TSX Venture Exchange (Ticker Symbol: PYR) and on the OTCQB Marketplace. For more information, please visit www.pyrogenesis.com

    This press release contains certain forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements containing the words “may”, “plan”, “will”, “estimate”, “continue”, “anticipate”, “intend”, “expect”, “in the process” and other similar expressions which constitute “forward- looking information” within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements reflect the Corporation’s current expectation and assumptions and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, our expectations regarding the acceptance of our products by the market, our strategy to develop new products and enhance the capabilities of existing products, our strategy with respect to research and development, the impact of competitive products and pricing, new product development, and uncertainties related to the regulatory approval process. Such statements reflect the current views of the Corporation with respect to future events and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties and other risks detailed from time-to-time in the Corporation’s ongoing filings with the securities regulatory authorities, which filings can be found at www.sedar.com, or at www.otcmarkets.com. Actual results, events, and performance may differ materially. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The Corporation undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward- looking statements either as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws.

    Neither the TSX Venture Exchange, its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) nor the OTCQB accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.

    SOURCE PyroGenesis Canada Inc.

    For further information please contact: Clémence Bertrand-Bourlaud, Marketing Manager/Investor Relations, Phone: (514) 937-0002, E-mail: [email protected]

    RELATED LINKS: http://www.pyrogenesis.com/

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    HPQ Silicon $HPQ.ca Announces the Record Date for the Distribution of Beauce Gold Fields $BGF.ca Common Shares for Listing on The TSX.V Exchange

    Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 3:56 PM on Monday, December 17th, 2018

    • Pursuant to the Plan of Arrangement and the Arrangement with Beauce Gold Fields Inc. (BGF)
    • HPQ declares the special dividends stemming therefrom and that December 24, 2018 will be the Record Date for the distribution and the dividends consist of 10,680,000 Beauce Gold Fields common shares.

    MONTREAL, Dec. 17, 2018 — HPQ Silicon Resources Inc (“HPQ”) (TSX Venture: HPQ) is pleased to inform shareholders that, pursuant to the Plan of Arrangement and the Arrangement with Beauce Gold Fields Inc. (BGF), HPQ declares the special dividends stemming therefrom and that December 24, 2018 will be the Record Date for the distribution and the dividends consist of 10,680,000 Beauce Gold Fields common shares.

    Only shareholders of record as at the share distribution record date will be entitled to receive the share dividends.  Shareholders of record on that date will receive one share of BGF, for 0.0480466 shares they own of HPQ, the dividend per share ratio is subject to adjustment based on the number of shares of HPQ to be issued until the record date. December 31, 2018 would be the expected payment date.  Fractional shares of BGF will be rounded down to the nearest whole number.  Shareholders who sell their HPQ shares prior to the share distribution record date will not be entitled to receive shares of BGF.  BGF confirms the definitive and unconditional closing of the plan of arrangement and BGF Private Placement of $550,000 announced on December 12, 2018.

    Distribution Details:

    Accordingly, HPQ will distribute 10,680,000 BGF shares to it’s shareholders on a pro rata basis of 0.0480466 shares for every HPQ shares they own hold as of close of business on the record date.

    Issuer Name: HPQ-Silicon Resources Inc.
    Declaration Date: December 17, 2018
    Security SymbolTSX-Venture Exchange: HPQ
    Type of Security:   Common Shares
    Type of Dividend: Special Dividend distribution of BGF Shares
    Record Date:December 24, 2018
    Ex-Distribution Date:December 21, 2018
    Payable Date: December 31, 2018

    The Company will announce the Listing Date of BGF shares on the Venture Exchange as soon as it receives confirmation form the Exchange.

    About Beauce Gold Fields

    BGF is a wholly owned subsidiary of HPQ Silicon into which HPQ gold assets were transferred.   Subject to approval by TSX-V, HPQ is in the process of listing BGF as a new public junior gold company., following the approval by shareholders during HPQ AGM held on Aug. 10, 2018, of the proposed terms of the plan of arrangement.

    The Beauce Gold Fields project is a unique, historically prolific gold property located in the municipality of Saint-Simon-les-Mines in the Beauce region of Southern Quebec. Comprising of a block of 152 claims 100% owned by HPQ, the project area hosts a six kilometre long unconsolidated gold-bearing sedimentary unit (a lower saprolite and an upper brown diamictite). Textural observations (angularity) of gold nuggets suggest a relatively proximal source and therefore a short transport distance. The gold in saprolite indicates a close proximity to a bedrock source of gold, providing possible further exploration discoveries.  The property was also hosts numerous historical gold mines that were active from 1860s to the 1960s (see HPQ SEDAR-filed report).

    Beauce Gold Fields website www.beaucegold.com

    About HPQ Silicon

    HPQ Silicon Resources Inc. is a TSX-V listed resource company planning to become a vertically integrated and diversified High Purity, Solar Grade Silicon Metal (SoG Si) producer and a manufacturer of multi and monocrystalline solar cells of the P and N types, required for production of high performance photovoltaic conversion.

    HPQ’s goal is to develop, in collaboration with industry leaders, PyroGenesis (TSX-V: PYR) and Apollon Solar, that are experts in their fields of interest, the innovative PUREVAPTM “Quartz Reduction Reactors (QRR)”, a truly 2.0 Carbothermic process (patent pending), which will permit the transformation and purification of quartz (SiO2) into high purity silicon metal (Si) in one step and reduce by a factor of at least two-thirds (2/3) the costs associated with the transformation of quartz (SiO2) into SoG Si. The pilot plant equipment that will validate the commercial potential of the process is on schedule to start mid-2019.

    Disclaimers:

    This press release contains certain forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements containing the words “may”, “plan”, “will”, “estimate”, “continue”, “anticipate”, “intend”, “expect”, “in the process” and other similar expressions which constitute “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements reflect the Company’s current expectation and assumptions, and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, our expectations regarding the acceptance of our products by the market, our strategy to develop new products and enhance the capabilities of existing products, our strategy with respect to research and development, the impact of competitive products and pricing, new product development, and uncertainties related to the regulatory approval process. Such statements reflect the current views of the Company with respect to future events and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties and other risks detailed from time-to-time in the Company’s on-going filings with the securities regulatory authorities, which filings can be found at www.sedar.com. Actual results, events, and performance may differ materially. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements either as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

    For further information contact

    Bernard J. Tourillon, Chairman, President and CEO HPQ Tel (514) 907-1011
    Patrick Levasseur, COO HPQ, President and CEO BGF Tel: (514) 262-9239
    www.HPQSilicon.com 

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    North Bud Farms Inc. $NBUD.ca – Cannabis report card: How’s the legal pot regime working for Canadians? $ACB $WEED.ca $HIP.ca

    Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 12:48 PM on Monday, December 17th, 2018

    SPONSOR: North Bud Farms Inc. (NBUD:CSE) Sustainable low cost, high quality cannabinoid production and procurement focusing on both bio-pharmaceutical development and Cannabinoid Infused Products. Click Here For More Information

    Two months after the legalization of recreational cannabis, is the new legislation meeting its objectives? CTVNews.ca takes a look at some of the Cannabis Act’s key goals.

    Two months after recreational cannabis was legalized, Canada’s new pot regime is still working out kinks in the supply chain and the enforcement of new rules.

    Before the cannabis legislation came into force, the federal government listed its key objectives for the historic shift. Those goals include keeping cannabis “out of the hands of children and youth,” curbing illegal marijuana sales, and ensuring a safe supply of quality pot across the country.

    More than 60 days after the first legal cannabis sales were made on Oct. 17, are those objectives being met? CTVNews.ca takes a look at how reality measures up against some of the government’s main promises.

    Keep cannabis away from children

    The Cannabis Act states that only adults aged 18 or older can legally purchase, possess and grow small amounts of weed. Provinces and territories were allowed to impose their own age restrictions, and the majority have set 19 as the legal age.

    Quebec’s new Coalition Avenir Quebec government made good on its election campaign promise and tabled legislation that would raise the province’s legal cannabis consumption age to 21 – the highest in Canada.

    Of course, those age restrictions don’t guarantee that younger teens and kids won’t be getting their hands on pot. It remains to be seen whether legalization will actually reduce cannabis consumption among minors.

    Reduce number of Canadians with criminal records

    One of the main pillars of the Cannabis Act is reducing the burden on the Canadian justice system by eliminating criminal charges for simple pot possession. But what about those who were charged or convicted of the crime before Oct. 17, 2018?

    In October, the federal government announced its intention to issue pardons to Canadians who have criminal records for possession of 30 grams of cannabis or less.

    The legislation “to make things fairer” was expected to be tabled before the end of 2018, but that did not happen before MPs wrapped things up in Ottawa for the holiday break. When it eventually becomes law, those eligible for pardons will be able to apply as soon as the law is in effect, with no waiting period or application fees.

    The Liberal government, however, has been criticized for not opting to expunge the criminal records of Canadians convicted of simple possession. An expungement would remove any record of a criminal conviction, while a pardon seals the record but does not erase it.

    Safe supply of cannabis

    The federal government pledged to “establish and enforce a strict system of production, distribution and sales” of cannabis, with a focus on regulation of quality and safety.

    But some Canadians have reported receiving mouldy cannabis.

    One cannabis manufacturer, RedeCan, recalled its B.E.C. strain in November after receiving reports of mould in some products sold in Ontario and British Columbia.

    Under federal regulations, cannabis producers have to keep a sample of every batch they send to market.

    Eliminate illicit pot sales

    This is another long-term objective of the Cannabis Act, but numerous hiccups in the legal cannabis supply chain have done little to curb distribution of illegal weed.

    Despite numerous warnings to illegal cannabis stores – and police raids in several cities across the country – some illicit dispensaries say they’ve been busier than ever since Oct. 17.

    Some consumers told The Canadian Press they continued to get their weed from illegal dispensaries or elsewhere because of delivery delays like the ones that plagued the Ontario Cannabis Store (OCS) in the first month of legalization.

    The OCS attributed delays to high demand for cannabis products, but the nationwide rotating strikes by Canada Post workers were also blamed for slow deliveries. 

    The online OCS is currently the only legal outlet for recreational cannabis in Ontario, with brick-and-mortar stores expected in 2019.

    In the first few weeks of business, the office of the Ontarioombudsman received more than 1,000 complaints about the OCS, related to delivery delays, poor customer service and issues with billing.

    By the third week of November, the provincial government said the OCS had eliminated its backlog and deliveries were “back on track.”

    British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Quebec, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick also reported varying degrees of cannabis shortages.

    New Brunswick was forced to temporarily close more than half its stores in early November, and the Quebec Cannabis Corporation had to reduce its store opening hours due to shortages.

    Access to medical cannabis

    One of the government’s principal objectives in legalizing recreational pot was to provide “access to quality-controlled cannabis for medical purposes.”

    But medical cannabis users have complained that, since Oct. 17, they’ve experienced persistent product shortages and shipment delays.

    Users of medical cannabis can only buy products from specific licensed producers if they want their health insurance to cover the cost. When their preferred strain or product is not available, they either have to go without, or pay out of pocket for products from a recreational pot retailer.

    Health Canada admitted last month that there have been localized shortages of medical cannabis since legalization, and said they are expected to continue for months.

    Protecting public health and safety

    The federal government has vowed to strengthen laws aimed at punishing “more serious cannabis offences,” including selling and distributing pot to children and youth, and driving under the influence of cannabis.

    Legislation known as Bill C-46 sets prohibited blood drug concentrations of THC, the main psychoactive compound of cannabis, for drivers. It also outlines penalties for drug offences, which range from fines to imprisonment, depending on the severity and number of offences committed.

    As a result of Bill C-46, police can now demand a sample of saliva for roadside drug screening. However, the only device approved for roadside drug testing in Canada has been met with criticism, with some police forces even saying they will not be using it at all.

    Critics say the Drager DrugTest 5000 doesn’t work in sub-zero temperatures, is too bulky for roadside tests and takes too long to produce a sample. But the federal government has defended the device, saying its approval was based on scientific recommendations of the Drugs and Driving Committee.

    Bill C-46 also amended Canada’s drunk-driving laws to allow police officers to conduct mandatory roadside alcohol breath tests without requiring a suspicion that the driver had been drinking.

    With files from CTVNews.ca’s Rachel Aiello and The Canadian Press

    More on this story from CTVNews.ca

    Source: https://www.theloop.ca/ctvnews/cannabis-report-card-hows-the-legal-pot-regime-working-for-canadians/

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    CLIENT FEATURE: Peeks Social $PEEK.ca Live Streaming With $2.1M In Quarterly Revenue / 6.5M User Sessions $IDK.ca $BCOV $AVID

    Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 11:08 AM on Monday, December 17th, 2018
    PEEK: TSX-V

    WHAT IS PEEKS?

    Peeks is a live streaming platform where people can interact and transact in real time by sending cash tips as appreciation for content and or selling goods and services to their live viewers.

    HIGHLIGHTS

    • The Peeks Social platform generated gross revenue of $2.1 million during Q2 2019, up from $1.3 million during Q2 2018;
    • User sessions were 6.50 million for the three months ended August 31, 2018, as compared to 4.63 million for the three months ended August 31, 2017 (and as compared to 6.20 million for the three months ended May 31, 2018).

    The Shifting landscape

    • Digital marketing spend is projected to grow from $57.3B USD in 2014 to $103.4B USD in 2019
    • Viewers spend 8x longer with live video than on demand:  42.8 min vs. 5.1 min       
    • Live video is outpacing growth of other types of online video with 113% increase in add growth yearly   
    • 100,000,000 internet users watch online video everyday
    • By 2019 online video will be responsible for 80% of global internet traffic.
    • In the U.S. online video will be responsible for 85% of domestic US traffic

    Hub On AGORACOM

    FULL DISCLOSURE: Peeks Social is an advertising client of AGORA Internet Relations Corp.

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    Esports Entertainment Group $GMBL – $800M #Esports industry poised to reach $3B within three years: Report $ATVI $TTWO $GAME $EPY.ca $TCEHF

    Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 10:34 AM on Monday, December 17th, 2018
    SPONSOR: Esports Entertainment $GMBL – Esports audience is 350M, growing to 590M, Esports wagering is projected at $23 BILLION by 2020. The company has launched VIE.gg esports betting platform and has accelerated affiliate marketing agreements with an additional 42 Esports teams, bringing total to 176 Esports teams. Click here for more information.
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    By Kunal Dhyani -12/17/2018

    • Esports as an industry is poised for a healthy growth over the next three years.
    • A survey has predicted a 5.3% growth rate for the Asian eSports market, while in the middle east the growth will be as high as 9.4%.

    Referring to inputs from the “Unlocking potential: The eSports Rrevolution in India” segment at the Times of India Global Sports Show, indiantelevision.co has reported that the state of eSports industry over the next three to five years is estimated to grow by 5.3% in Asia and 9.4% in Middle East and Africa, according to PwC Sports Survey 2018.

    The growth is attributed to the factors like the improved internet speed, smartphone penetration, government digital push and highest youth population. The factors put together put eSports in India in the right territory for growth. Voot, Hotstar, Youtube and Twitch are keeping the eSports’ passionate new generation engage

    “Once you have a large enough mass in a region or a country then I would think it’s a matter of time to really become big. The three things we can do from our side to make it really popular are the infrastructure, devices and data where people can play and watch others play,” the website has quoted Tencent GM Aneesh Arvind, as saying.

    Tencent’s sensational PlayerUnknown’s Battleground’s (PUBG) Mobile game, a phenomenon with young generation in India, has crossed 100 million downloads.

    Also Read: Tencent puts down PUBG server for much-awaited updates

    “We have such a large player base in India that all the assumptions we used to have in the gaming industry doesn’t hold true anymore. We have built the game and the ecosystem around it by doing TV commercials, advertisement in different media, got influencers on board,” Arvind added.

    According to Tencent, Esports is a video game, which is played competitively with rewards attached to it and an ecosystem where people are ready to watch that.

    Esports for the first time became a part of a major sporting event in 2018 Asian Games Jakarta as a demonstration sports. This was announced by Asian Esports Federation (AESF). 10 Indian Gamers had qualified for the event.

    The eSports market size this year is supposed to be $900 million, which is likely to  reach $3 billion by 2021. “We as the eSports industry are trying to figure out ways in which we can grow and models of monetisation,” Arvind added.

    “I think for us it is an investment time. As a company which is building IPs we are very clear that for the next 3-5 year time frame we have to invest in the fan base, create the infrastructure getting the right stakeholder and the right federations,” opines Nodwin Gaming MD Akshat Rathee.

    “We are the only sport in the world which is not run by the federation because the publisher owns the trademark of the game,” Rathee concluded.

    According to UK-based Juniper Research, the advertising spend will dominate in terms of revenue and spend (accounting for 50 per cent in 2022).

    Source: https://www.insidesport.co/800-mn-esports-industry-poised-to-reach-inr-3-bn-within-three-years-report/

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    PyroGenesis $PYR.ca Receives Purchase Order for Specialty Metal Powder from a Government Entity

    Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 10:18 AM on Monday, December 17th, 2018
    • Announced today that it received a purchase order to provide specialty metal powder from a government entity, the name, origin, amount, and type of powder are not permitted to be disclosed.
    • This order will require PyroGenesis to produce specialty reactive metal powder using its plasma atomization expertise
    • The Client intends to qualify this powder for undisclosed purposes.

    MONTREAL, Dec. 17, 2018 — PyroGenesis Canada Inc. (http://pyrogenesis.com) (TSX-V: PYR) (OTCQB: PYRNF), a TSX Venture 50® high-tech company, (the “Company”, the “Corporation” or “PyroGenesis”) a Company that designs, develops, manufactures and commercializes plasma atomized metal powder, plasma waste-to-energy systems and plasma torch products, is pleased to announce today that it received a purchase order to provide specialty metal powder from a government entity (the “Client”), the name, origin, amount, and type of powder are not permitted to be disclosed.

    This order will require PyroGenesis to produce specialty reactive metal powder using its plasma atomization expertise. The Client intends to qualify this powder for undisclosed purposes.

    First delivery is expected to occur Q1 2019. It is expected that, upon successful qualification, follow-on orders would be anticipated.

    “Although small, under 1 ton, this commercial order reinforces the fact that we are, once again, the go-to Company for an entity that has, at its fingertips, many options. Not only does this opportunity allows us to expand our powder offerings but it also creates a potentially high value niche market, which, once again, highlights our competitive advantages,” said Mr. P. Peter Pascali, President and CEO of PyroGenesis. “This order is clearly a recognition of PyroGenesis’ strengths as an innovative plasma Company, and further underscores our position, and value, to the Additive Manufacturing industry.”

    About PyroGenesis Canada Inc.

    PyroGenesis Canada Inc., a TSX Venture 50® high-tech company, is the world leader in the design, development, manufacture and commercialization of advanced plasma processes and products. We provide engineering and manufacturing expertise, cutting-edge contract research, as well as turnkey process equipment packages to the defense, metallurgical, mining, advanced materials (including 3D printing), oil & gas, and environmental industries. With a team of experienced engineers, scientists and technicians working out of our Montreal office and our 3,800 m2 manufacturing facility, PyroGenesis maintains its competitive advantage by remaining at the forefront of technology development and commercialization. Our core competencies allow PyroGenesis to lead the way in providing innovative plasma torches, plasma waste processes, high-temperature metallurgical processes, and engineering services to the global marketplace. Our operations are ISO 9001:2015 certified, and have been since 1997. PyroGenesis is a publicly-traded Canadian Corporation on the TSX Venture Exchange (Ticker Symbol: PYR) and on the OTCQB Marketplace. For more information, please visit www.pyrogenesis.com.

    This press release contains certain forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements containing the words “may”, “plan”, “will”, “estimate”, “continue”, “anticipate”, “intend”, “expect”, “in the process” and other similar expressions which constitute “forward- looking information” within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements reflect the Corporation’s current expectation and assumptions and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, our expectations regarding the acceptance of our products by the market, our strategy to develop new products and enhance the capabilities of existing products, our strategy with respect to research and development, the impact of competitive products and pricing, new product development, and uncertainties related to the regulatory approval process. Such statements reflect the current views of the Corporation with respect to future events and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties and other risks detailed from time-to-time in the Corporation’s ongoing filings with the securities regulatory authorities, which filings can be found at www.sedar.com, or at www.otcmarkets.com. Actual results, events, and performance may differ materially. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The Corporation undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward- looking statements either as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws.

    Neither the TSX Venture Exchange, its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) nor the OTCQB accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.

    SOURCE PyroGenesis Canada Inc.

    For further information please contact: Clémence Bertrand-Bourlaud, Marketing Manager/Investor Relations, Phone: (514) 937-0002, E-mail: [email protected]  

    RELATED LINKS: http://www.pyrogenesis.com/

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    New Age Metals Inc. $NAM.ca – Pricier than gold, and in your engine, #palladium $WG.ca $XTM.ca $WM.ca $PDL.ca

    Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 9:16 AM on Monday, December 17th, 2018
    SPONSOR:  New Age Metals Inc. (TSX-V: NAM) The company’s new Lithium Division has already made significant acquisitions in Canada and the USA. The company also owns one of North America’s largest primary platinum group metals deposit in Sudbury, Canada. The property hosts M+I 4,626,250 Palladium Equivalent Ounces. Click here for more information
    ——————–
    • Palladium is one of the best-performing commodities of 2018.
    • Its price has surged more than 50% in the past four months.Tiffany Hsu

    Palladium inside a catalytic converter at Alpha Recycling in the Bronx, New York City. Palladium, a silvery-white metal, used in cars and sometimes jewellery, has topped gold in commodities trading for the last three days.   PHOTO: NYTIMES

    GOLD was long the most valuable of precious metals until, suddenly, it wasn’t. Last week, an obscure and far less sexy rival called palladium swung ahead, for the first time in 16 years. Gold briefly retook the lead, but spot palladium prices have beaten out gold prices for the past three days. Palladium hit a record high on Wednesday before settling in at US$1,255.12 an ounce at the market close in London on Thursday, according to data from SP Angel, an investment research firm. Gold was US$1,243.02 an ounce.

    It is an impressive dethroning aided by economic shifts, antipollution legislation, union campaigns by mine workers and global trade negotiations. Until recently, palladium was perhaps best known for sharing a name with several popular entertainment venues and for powering the fictional arc reactor mechanism hooked up to Iron Man’s heart.

    Its primary purpose is far less glamorous: More than 80 per cent of the world’s palladium is used in the catalytic converters that help vehicles manage their pollutant output.

    Palladium is one of the best-performing commodities of 2018. Its price has surged more than 50 per cent in the past four months. Some dealers have sold out of the metal.

    For at least the near future, palladium will most likely remain in high demand and short supply, experts said. Here, we explain how a metal usually ignored in favour of gold, silver and platinum has recently eclipsed them all.

    What is palladium?

    A cousin of platinum and traditionally much less expensive, palladium is part of a family of metals known as the “noble metals” because they resist corrosion and oxidation. Palladium was discovered in the early 1800s by William Hyde Wollaston, a British scientist. It was named after Pallas, a recently identified asteroid. Silvery-white and durable, the metal is used in surgical instruments, dental alloys and in cellphones and other electronics.

    Jewellers like Jenny Windler in Berkeley, California, sometimes use it because it is hypoallergenic and “not too fussy to work with”, she said. Palladium was also less expensive than other precious metals like gold or platinum. In the past few months, palladium men’s rings have been among the most popular search terms on her online store, Ms Windler revealed. But she uses the metal in less than 10 per cent of her products.

    Recently, Ms Windler was buying platinum online and noticed a price chart that listed palladium as more expensive. “I thought: ‘That can’t be right; it must be some kind of typo,'” she said.

    Increasing efforts to regulate tailpipe emissions in the 1970s paved the way for palladium’s gradual popularity. The metal, along with platinum and rhodium, helps keep toxic exhaust in check by reacting with carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxide to make them less harmful. For decades, palladium has been a major, but largely unseen, component of cars.

    A shift away from diesel vehicles, whose catalytic converters rely more heavily on platinum, has intensified the demand for palladium, especially in Europe. Sales of petrol-fuelled cars had surged for several years until this year. Tighter emissions regulations have led automakers to use more palladium.

    Demand for the metal for catalysts will reach a record high of 8.5 million ounces this year, according to the consulting firm Metals Focus.

    But car sales are beginning to soften. In the United States, drivers are keeping their cars longer and, faced with rising interest rates, are hesitating to replace them. US President Donald Trump is pushing ahead with his proposal to significantly roll back emissions rules for cars and light trucks.

    In China, demand for palladium could be tempered by worries about the slowing economy, tariffs by the Trump administration and curbs on lending to consumers. “That’s collectively weighing on demand for new cars,” said Rohit Savant, the director of research at the commodities research firm CPM Group.

    Tight supply

    Palladium is extremely rare, mostly generated as a byproduct of platinum mined in South Africa and nickel mined in Russia. Palladium’s price spiked in the early 2000s in reaction to disruptions in supply from Russia and increased interest in catalytic converters.

    Demand for palladium has steadily increased for eight years and is expected to outstrip supply by 1.2 million ounces in 2018, and Metals Focus has forecast “further, sizable deficits to come”. As supply tightens, palladium’s price has climbed.

    In South Africa, contentious wage negotiations with miners and complaints about hazardous working conditions have resulted in strikes that have sometimes stymied production. Many mining companies are loaded with debt and trying to cut costs.

    Mining more palladium requires more platinum mining. But diesel’s decline, exacerbated by the emissions cheating scandal that engulfed Volkswagen in 2015, has depressed platinum prices.

    Even as the prices for most other metals struggled this year, palladium hit high after high. Experts expect it to stay elevated for at least a few months. But coming investments by mining companies and shifts in clean-air technology could cause the price to slip.

    In Russia, the Norilsk Nickel mining giant indicated this week that it would spend more than US$12 billion to raise production during the next five years. The company is the world’s largest producer of palladium.

    Investors might move into gold and other safe-haven assets as they digest predictions of slowing global growth, the roiling equities market and the fading effects of last year’s tax cuts in the US, analysts said. NYTIMES

    Source: https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/investing-wealth/pricier-than-gold-and-in-your-engine

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