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Budget 2026 Lands Nov. 5: What to Do (and Not Do) With Your RRSP and TFSA First

  CANADIAN MONEY BRIEF  |  FEATURE  |  OCT. 23, 2026 The federal budget is 13 days away, tax-reform calls are getting louder, and “act now” headlines are about to pile up. Here’s what is actually confirmed, what is just lobbying, and what to leave alone. Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne told the House of Commons on Oct. 20 that Budget 2026 will be tabled on Nov. 5 . It is the second budget since the Liberals moved the fiscal plan to the fall, and it lands two days after the U.S. midterm elections. Between now and then, expect a flood of speculation about RRSPs, TFSAs and capital gains. Before you move a dollar, it helps to separate three things: what’s confirmed, what’s being asked for, and what the rules say today. Key dates on your calendar Oct. 28 Bank of Canada rate decision (9:45 a.m. ET) Oct. 29 Ontario fall economic statement Nov. 3 U.S. midterm elections Nov. 5 Federal Budget 2026 Dec. 9 Final Bank of Canada decision of 2026 Mar. 1, 2027 RRSP...

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Are rate hikes over for Canada


The Canadian economy is expected to show a modest growth of 0.4% in the third quarter of 2023, according to the latest estimates from Statistics Canada. This is lower than the 0.6% expansion in the previous quarter, and well below the 2.1% growth rate that the Bank of Canada projected in July.

The weak GDP numbers have fueled the speculation that the country may be heading into a recession, as global trade tensions, lower oil prices, and household debt weigh on the economic outlook. 

However, not everyone is convinced that the situation is so dire. Some forecasters argue that the third quarter slowdown was mainly due to temporary factors, such as a strike at a major auto plant, a drop in agricultural output due to drought, and a slowdown in housing construction. They expect that the economy will rebound in the fourth quarter, as these factors dissipate and consumer spending picks up.

Moreover, some forecasters point out that the inflation rate remains within the central bank's target range of 1% to 3%, suggesting that there is no need for further monetary stimulus. They also note that the labour market remains strong, with the unemployment rate at a near-record low of 5.5%, and wage growth at a solid 3.2%.

Therefore, some forecasters believe that the Bank of Canada will maintain its wait-and-see approach, and keep interest rates unchanged until there are clear signs of either a sustained recovery or a prolonged downturn. They argue that the central bank has already done enough to support the economy, by cutting interest rates three times in 2022, and that any further easing could fuel financial imbalances and inflationary pressures.

In summary, the GDP numbers for the third quarter of 2023 are likely to spark more debate about the state of the Canadian economy and the direction of monetary policy. However, some forecasters are more optimistic than others, and think that the rate hikes are over for now, unless there is a significant change in the economic conditions.

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