Skip to main content

Featured

5 Things to Know Today: 68,000 Jobs Lost, a Weaker Loonie and the Oct. 28 BoC Decision

  Oct 12, 2026   Happy Thanksgiving. Canadian markets are closed today, but the numbers that shape your wallet aren't taking the day off. Here are five things to know on Monday, October 12. 1. Canada lost about 68,000 jobs in September, wiping out 2026's gains Statistics Canada reported that employment fell by roughly 68,000 in September, following a 41,700-job drop in August. The unemployment rate edged up to 6.5% from 6.4%. Economists had forecast a small gain. Put the two months together and Canada has lost about 41,200 jobs so far this year, compared with a gain of 211,300 over the same stretch of 2025, according to Reuters. The losses were spread almost evenly between full-time and part-time work and were concentrated in the public sector. Workers aged 15 to 24 lost 48,000 jobs, Quebec shed 49,000, and Ontario's unemployment rate sits at 7.0%, the highest among the large provinces. Average hourly wages were up 2.3% from a year ago. What it means for you: A softening j...

article

Farmers Rally in Madrid: Tractors Roar Against EU Policies

 


In a powerful display of discontent, hundreds of farmers have converged on central Madrid, steering their tractors through the city streets. Their mission: to voice frustration over European Union (EU) policies and demand relief from mounting production costs. This protest marks the culmination of more than two weeks of daily demonstrations across Spain.

Key Points:

  • Tractor Convoy: The sight of tractors rumbling through Madrid’s thoroughfares is unprecedented. These hardworking farmers are making their voices heard, emphasizing the challenges they face due to EU regulations.

  • Financial Strain: Farmers argue that the EU’s policies, particularly those related to the environment and other matters, impose a heavy financial burden. Their products become costlier compared to non-EU imports, affecting their livelihoods.

  • Spanish Perspective: Beyond EU policies, Spanish farmers also contend that a crucial law aimed at ensuring fair prices from major supermarket buyers remains unenforced. Meanwhile, consumer prices soar, exacerbating their plight.

  • European Echoes: Similar protests have reverberated across the EU bloc. In neighboring France, the continent’s largest agricultural producer, President Emmanuel Macron’s government grapples with angry farmers. Last month, major demonstrations swept through French cities, demanding better pay and assistance.

  • Call for Action: French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal acknowledges the farmers’ cries for change. He promises draft legislation to empower French farmers in commercial negotiations with distributors. Efforts to simplify hiring seasonal workers and protect local agriculture from imports are also underway.

As the tractors roll through Madrid, solidarity echoes across Europe. The struggle for fair treatment and sustainable farming practices continues, uniting farmers in their call for action.

Comments