Entrepreneurs feted

FIVE local entrepreneurs were feted at a gala dinner last night as Ernst & Young presented its entrepreneur of the year awards for the Prairies.

The hardware recipients were: Brent Trepel of Ben Moss Jewellers in the business-to-consumer products and services category; David Blatt and Robert Dreger of the Color Ad Group in manufacturing; Jeff Thompson of Activa Consumer Promotions in the media and communications category; and Peter Jones of HudBay Minerals Inc. as the turnaround entrepreneur.

The five received their awards at the Business Excellence Gala at the Winnipeg Convention Centre, which was hosted by the Young Associates of the I.H. Asper School of Business.

Sears Canada posts profit

TORONTO -- Sears Canada Inc. (TSX:SCC), the target of a strongly contested buyout by U.S. parent Sears Holdings Corp. (NASDAQ:SHLD), has posted a third-quarter profit of $37.8 million, reversing a year-ago loss largely on lower costs.

Corus eyes cost cuts

TORONTO -- Corus Entertainment Inc. (TSX:CJR.B) swung to sharply higher gains true religion jeans in the fourth quarter on tax-rate changes, but the company says it wants to clamp down on costs at its Quebec radio stations. The Toronto-based media company said Thursday that profit for the period ended Aug. 31 was $46.6 million, up from $9.7 million last year, after booking big gains on tax rate changes.

Shaw shares rise

CALGARY -- Shaw Communications Inc. (TSX:SJR.B) class B shares rose to their highest point in at least five years as the company reported a more than $140 million boost in profits.

At the Toronto Stock Exchange, Shaw rose five cents to close at $34.50 on Thursday. Shaw reported a fourth-quarter profit of $210.4 million on Thursday, up from year-ago $70 million, and said it will boost its annual dividend by 67 per cent to $1 per share.

WestJet profits strong

CALGARY -- Baby boomers' desire for shorter, more frequent getaways Key_Chain Watch Replica could insulate discount airline WestJet (TSX:WJA) from economic downturns, says chief executive Clive Beddoe.

Third-quarter profits for the Calgary-based carrier were up 74.5 per cent to $52.8 million as WestJet increased capacity, yield and load factor.

Earnings shoot up

TORONTO -- Third-quarter earnings at Sun Life Financial Inc. (TSX:SLF) shot up 26 per cent to a record $541 million, propelled by robust gains in its Canadian group benefits business and improved equity markets.

Canada's second-largest insurer said Thursday its quarterly profit exceeded the guidance outlined in its 2005 annual report, despite the nibbling effect of the higher Canadian dollar on its U.S. earnings.

-- From the wire services