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Andrew Bell

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“I don't care for music… I don't care for scenery… I don't care for women...I like bridge” -- Bonar Law

Andrew Bonar Law was born on this day in 1858 in New Brunswick, the son of a Ulster-Scottish clergyman. He moved to Scotland in 1870 and in 1922 became the only British Prime Minister born outside the British Isles. Dubbed "the Unknown Prime Minister,” he was thought by many to be colourless and served as PM for little more than 200 days.

There’s nothing insipid about our coverage on BNN today. 

Investors grabbing pot stocks

With investors grabbing marijuana stocks such as Aphria (APH.V) and PharmaCan Capital (MJN.V), we get an update on the sector at 10:20 a.m. ET from Jacob Capital Management analyst Khurram Malik. He’s been reminding investors that the big payoff from the sector may be legalized recreational weed rather than the medical market.

Meanwhile, on Commodities we’ll take a look at the pushback from some traditional industries. Theintercept.com says “the fight against legalized pot is being heavily bankrolled by alcohol and pharmaceutical companies, terrified that they might lose market share.”

Vancouver housing market entering a correction? 

B.C.’s tax on foreign home buyers in Vancouver seems to be inflicting a buzz kill on that market and at 10:30 a.m. ET we’ll be joined by National Bank of Canada economist Stéfane Marion. He warns that the city is vulnerable to a price slump of 10 per cent or more.  

Meanwhile, our Top Line this morning has been the province’s tax windfall from red-hot housing, which is boosting the budget surplus.

We’re always thrilled to bring you the economics and politics of a substance on Commodities…and today it’s the turn of gypsum.  

Jump in drywall prices

Drywall prices across Western Canada have jumped after Ottawa imposed stiff duties on U.S. gypsum board products. The price crunch could even affect the repairs in fire-struck Fort McMurray, Alta.

At 11:05 a.m. ET, we'll get an update from Watson Building Supplies president Doug Skrepnek, who says the jump in costs threatens to cripple contractors.

Finally, a novelist in New Orleans dashed into his burning home, defying firefighters, to save a laptop containing two books.

“Anybody that’s ever created art, there’s no replacing that,” he said.

Sure, but maybe make a backup next time.

Every morning Commodities host Andrew Bell writes a ‘chase note’ to BNN's editorial staff listing the stories and events that will be in the spotlight that day. Have it delivered to your inbox before the trading day begins by heading to www.bnn.ca/subscribe