Five things to watch for in the Canadian business world in the coming week

Unifor, the Canadian labor union, is set to open contract negotiations with General Motors on Monday. Representing over 4,600 members at Ontario GM facilities, including the Oshawa assembly plant and CAMI facility in Ingersoll, the union has already secured a deal with Ford and will now take on Stellantis.

Cineplex Inc. is scheduled to release its second-quarter results on Tuesday, covering the period before the release of Christopher Nolan's blockbuster, "The Odyssey." The highly anticipated three-hour film has generated significant interest among moviegoers, particularly those with access to Imax 70 mm technology.

Investors will also be closely monitoring Air Canada's financial results for the second quarter on Wednesday. The results are expected to reflect the impact of the spring travel season, rising fuel costs, and Canada's early weeks of hosting the FIFA World Cup. Additionally, ongoing trade tensions may further influence the airline's performance as many Canadians consider skipping international trips from North America.

Metro, the popular grocery store chain, is set to announce its third-quarter results on Wednesday. Earlier this year, CEO Eric La Flèche announced his retirement at the end of September after leading the company for over 18 years. During his tenure, Metro experienced growth and modernization, particularly in its distribution network. However, the retailer now faces challenges such as a workers' strike at its Laval, Quebec warehouse and increased consumer discretion with their spending.

Lastly, Canadian Tire, the retailer that also owns SportChek, Mark’s and Party City, will release its second-quarter results on Thursday. This quarter will capture any positive effects from the initial weeks of the World Cup, as well as the launch of its first summer merchandise collection featuring the Hudson’s Bay stripes. The quarter will also account for any negative impacts resulting from higher gas prices caused by the ongoing Middle East conflict.