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Liberal Ranks Grow as Michael Ma Joins Carney’s Team

                      Markham-Unionville MP Michael Ma crossed the floor to join the Liberals on Thursday. In a dramatic political shift on Parliament Hill, Michael Ma, the Member of Parliament for Markham–Unionville, announced on December 11, 2025, that he is leaving the Conservative caucus to sit with the Liberals . His decision follows weeks of consultation with constituents and family, and comes on the heels of Nova Scotia MP Chris d’Entremont’s defection last month. Ma explained that his move was motivated by a desire for “unity and decisive action for Canada’s future.” He praised Prime Minister Mark Carney’s leadership, describing it as a steady and practical approach to tackling pressing issues such as affordability, economic growth, community safety, and opportunities for young families. The floor-crossing is politically significant: the Liberals now hold 171 seats, just one short of a majority in the House of...

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Canada's Economy Contracts Unpredictably: Central Bank's Cautionary Outlook


 Canada’s economy unexpectedly contracted in the second quarter of 2023 at an annualized rate of 0.2% . The growth was most likely flat in July. This result will probably allow the central bank to hold rates amid a possible recession . The second-quarter reading was far lower than the Bank of Canada’s (BoC’s) forecast for a 1.5% annualized GDP growth as well as the 1.2% gain expected by analysts . The quarterly slowdown was largely due to declines in housing investment and smaller inventory accumulation as well as slower international exports and household spending. In June, Canadian wildfires adversely impacted multiple industries, including mining and quarrying and rail transportation.

The figures “leave little doubt that the Bank of Canada will keep interest rates unchanged next week,” said Stephen Brown, deputy chief North American economist for Capital Economics. The central bank hiked its benchmark overnight rate to a 22-year-high of 5.0% in July, the tenth increase since March of last year. Since then, the bank has said its future moves would depend on its reading of the data, which have been mixed.

In conclusion, Canada’s economy has contracted unexpectedly in Q2 2023, and growth was most likely flat in July. This result will probably allow the central bank to hold rates amid a possible recession. The quarterly slowdown was largely due to declines in housing investment and smaller inventory accumulation as well as slower international exports and household spending. The Bank of Canada is expected to keep interest rates unchanged next week, given the recent economic data.

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