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The Rate Cuts Are Over — Is a Hike Coming?

  July 23, 2026 Oil shocks, sticky inflation and a technical recession are pulling the Bank of Canada in opposite directions at once. For most of the past two years, the only question about the Bank of Canada was how far and how fast it would cut. The overnight rate fell from 5.00% to 2.25% between June 2024 and October 2025, one of the sharpest easing cycles in the Bank's history, and it has held there through six consecutive decisions since. That story is now over. The question on the table for the rest of 2026 isn't whether the Bank cuts again — it's whether the next move is actually a hike. Two conflicting signals, one Bank The case for staying put — or even cutting — comes from the growth side of the ledger. Statistics Canada data showed the economy contracted in both the fourth quarter of 2025 and the first quarter of 2026, meeting the informal definition of a technical recession. That was enough to have some economists warning the Bank had no room to raise rates at a...

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Chicken & Broccoli Casserole

 


This one-pan chicken and broccoli casserole is prepared in a skillet on the stovetop, then finished in the oven until it's browned, cheesy and bubbling. Serve with a crunchy green salad.

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon canola oil
  • 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, trimmed and cut into bite-size pieces
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  •  cup all-purpose flour
  • 4 cups reduced-fat milk
  • 3 cups broccoli florets
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 2 9-ounce packages precooked brown rice
  • 1 ½ cups shredded reduced-fat sharp Cheddar cheese
  • 1 teaspoon dry mustard
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground pepper
  • 1 cup prepared crispy fried onions

Directions

  1. 1. Preheat oven to 400°F.

  2. 2.Heat oil in a large high-sided ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and chopped onion; cook, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is no longer pink on the outside, about 7 minutes. Sprinkle the mixture with flour and cook, stirring occasionally, for 1 minute. Add milk to the pan and bring to a boil, stirring frequently. (Be careful, the pan will be very full.) Boil, stirring, for 1 minute.

  3. 3. Meanwhile, place broccoli and water in a microwave-safe container. Cover and microwave on High until the broccoli is tender, about 3 minutes. Drain.

  4. 4. Remove the pan from the heat and carefully stir in rice, cheese, dry mustard, garlic powder, salt, pepper and the broccoli. Sprinkle with crispy onions.

  5. 5. Bake the casserole until bubbling at the edges, about 10 minutes. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.

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