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Why Interest Rates Matter for Canadians

Interest rates are the single most powerful lever in Canada's economy.  When the Bank of Canada adjusts its policy rate, the effects reach every household—from the cost of carrying a mortgage to the return on a savings account. With rates currently at 2.25% and significant uncertainty ahead, understanding how rates work has never been more important for your finances. What Is the Bank of Canada's Policy Rate? The Bank of Canada sets the overnight policy rate—the interest rate at which major banks lend money to each other. This rate serves as a benchmark that influences borrowing and lending costs across the entire economy. When the Bank raises or lowers this rate, commercial banks adjust their prime rates accordingly, which directly affects the rates you pay on mortgages, lines of credit, and other loans. The Bank's primary goal is to keep inflation near its 2% target. When inflation runs too hot, the Bank raises rates to cool spending. When the economy slows, it cuts rates...

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Thousands of Canadians Die While Waiting for Surgery



According to a recent report, more than 17,000 Canadians have died while waiting for surgery or diagnostic scans in 2022-23. The report also suggests that the actual number could be higher. This is a concerning issue that needs to be addressed.

Long wait times for surgeries, MRI and CT scans are putting thousands of patients at risk. The surgical waitlist in Ontario alone surpasses 200,000 people . This comes off the back of a 21-page report from CUPE’S Ontario Council of Hospital Unions that found hospital staff vacancies have grown dramatically, increasing 19 per cent over the last year, and currently 37,00 positions remain unfilled .

The consequences of the long waits are stark, as more than 2,000 people died on waiting lists for surgeries last year, up almost 50 per cent from the year before. Another 9,400 patients died waiting for MRIs and CT scans . The situation is dire and requires immediate attention.


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