Billionaire Elon Musk in Vancouver for TED Talk after offering to buy Twitter
Elon Musk is scheduled to speak at a conference in Vancouver just a short time after offering to buy a social media giant for more than US$40 billion.
Musk is in the city for "TED2022: A New Era," five-day conference that also brought Bill Gates to Canada's West Coast.
The TED (Technology, Entertainment and Design) Talks series brought more than 70 speakers to the city, according to organizers.
Thursday is the final day of the event, which includes talks, presentations, music, performances and comedy.
Organizers described the last day as "the climax of the week's speaker program," and used the word "epic" to describe the last session, in which Musk will be speaking. The day of events is being streamed live online.
Attending the talks isn't cheap. The lowest price for membership, which only covers one year, is US$5,000. The membership packages vary, but those who can afford it can pay up to US$250,000 for a five-year membership.
A description of Musk provided by TED2022 calls him a "social entrepreneur" and the co-founder of Tesla, SpaceX, Neuralink and The Boring Company.
His talk Thursday follows an offer to buy into another business: social media.
Days after rejecting a seat on the board of Twitter, which would have prevented him from a takeover, he offered billions to buy the company itself for US$43 billion.
In a letter to Twitter's chairperson, Musk said the platform needed to be transformed as a private company, and that just over $54 a share is his "best and final" offer.
He said if the offer isn't accepted, he'll be reconsidering his position as a shareholder.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
DEVELOPING Live updates from the Trump hush money trial: Stormy Daniels, bookkeeper testify
Adult film star Stormy Daniels is on the stand a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump’s hush money case continues in Manhattan. Follow live updates here.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Miss Teen USA steps down just days after Miss USA's resignation
Miss Teen USA resigned Wednesday, sending further shock waves through the pageant community just days after Miss USA said she would relinquish her crown.
B.C. wildfires likely to spread with weekend temperatures expected to soar, province says
Wildfire and emergency management officials in British Columbia are urging residents to be prepared for increased fire activity as temperatures are expected to soar above 30 C in parts of the province this weekend.
Wilfrid Laurier football player drafted despite only playing 27 games in his entire life
A Listowel, Ont. man, drafted by the Hamilton Tigercats last week, is also getting looks from the NFL, despite only playing 27 games of football in his life.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
BREAKING Sheldon Keefe out as head coach of Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs have fired head coach Sheldon Keefe. The team made the announcement Thursday after the Original Six franchise lost to the Boston Bruins in seven games in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.