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The World Cup Promised $3.8 Billion — Here's What Canada Actually Got

       Monday July 13, 2026 FIFA promised Canada a $3.8-billion economic windfall for hosting the 2026 World Cup. Two weeks into play in Toronto, the receipts tell a very different story — and there's a lesson in it for anyone thinking a "big event" boost is coming to their city, their rental property, or their business. The Billion-Dollar Bill Came First Before a single ball was kicked, Canadian taxpayers were already on the hook. According to the Parliamentary Budget Office, governments across the country will spend roughly $1.07 billion hosting the 2026 tournament. Toronto alone budgeted $380 million to host six matches at BMO Field. British Columbia's tab for Vancouver's seven matches at BC Place came in even higher, at about $578 million. Ottawa is chipping in $473 million of that total — including $220 million in direct grants to Toronto and B.C., plus another $145 million earmarked for security costs during the tournament. Net of federal help, Toronto and B...
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Stock Markets: How High Interest Rates Are Hurting Bay Street

                                                    

Bay Street, the financial heart of Canada, is facing a tough challenge as interest rates rise and stock sales slow down. The Bank of Canada has raised its key interest rate four times since July 2020, reaching 1.75% in October 2023. This has made borrowing more expensive for businesses and consumers, dampening the demand for stocks and other riskier assets.

According to data from Bloomberg, equity offerings in Canada have fallen by 32% in the first nine months of 2023 compared to the same period last year. The total value of stock sales was $23.4 billion, the lowest since 2016. The decline was especially sharp in the energy and mining sectors, which have been hit hard by lower commodity prices and environmental regulations.

Some analysts expect the slowdown to continue for the rest of the year and into 2024, as the Bank of Canada signals more rate hikes to curb inflation and cool down the overheated housing market. This could put more pressure on Bay Street firms, which rely on fees from underwriting and advising on stock sales to generate revenue.

However, not all is gloomy for Bay Street. Some sectors, such as technology and health care, have shown resilience and growth potential amid the pandemic and the economic recovery. Some companies, such as Shopify and Lightspeed, have raised billions of dollars in secondary offerings on U.S. exchanges, boosting their valuations and profiles. And some investors, such as pension funds and private equity firms, are still looking for opportunities to buy undervalued or distressed assets in Canada.

The challenge for Bay Street is to adapt to the changing market conditions and find new ways to serve its clients and attract capital. The future may not be as bright as it was before the pandemic, but it is not as dark as it may seem either.


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