Grab your cup of coffee or tea, and sit down with a selection of this week’s great reads from The Globe.
In this issue, Ian Brown tells the story of a backcountry skiing trip mostly sidelined by climate change. Brown has been skiing since he was three-years-old. The Globe reporter said he fell in love with the sport because he loved being outdoors in the winter. In his late twenties, he grew an appreciation especially for backcountry skiing – for the physical challenge and the close companionship it offers.
“Winter is a huge part of what makes us who we are – not just as Canadians, but as human beings. And not just physically, but culturally and psychologically,” Brown said. “Before central heating came along in the 19th century, winter was a season you had to survive; you had to adapt. That challenge – and the satisfaction and pleasure of making yourself comfortable in an otherwise hostile environment – was a huge part of what created us, that made us who we are.
The dark side of Bay Street’s hottest funds: Private debt investors fly blind, and billions of dollars are now trappedthat when things go bad, there aren’t many safeguards to protect them. Private debt funds boomed when rates were low and a broader range of investors, including everyday retail investors, were hunting for a decent return. Now, with high rates and many investments struggling, the question is whether retail investors are well-served by these funds.