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Carney and Ford’s Steel and Auto Support Package: What It Could Mean for Your Job and Walle

Canadian Money Brief  |  October 21, 2026 Prime Minister Mark Carney and Ontario Premier Doug Ford are set to unveil a joint support package for Canada’s steel, auto and critical-minerals sectors in Ottawa at 2 p.m. ET today . According to QP Briefing , the finance and industry ministers from both governments will join them, and the package is meant to help businesses and workers deal with ongoing trade disruptions. The dollar figures and eligibility rules weren’t public at the time of writing. So here’s what we know, what help already exists, and what to look for when the details land. WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR Who: Carney and Ford, plus both governments’ finance and industry ministers When and where: 2 p.m. ET today, Ottawa Sectors: steel, auto and critical minerals Stated aim: support for businesses and workers affected by trade disruptions Not yet public: total dollars, the federal–Ontario cost split, who qualifies and how to apply Help That’s Already on the Table Today’s p...
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Fast-Food Giants Face Earnings Challenges Amid Middle East Boycotts

 


Fast-food giants are finding themselves in a sticky situation as boycotts in the Middle East take a toll on their earnings. Notable players like McDonald’s, Starbucks, and Yum Brands (the parent company of 

In its fourth-quarter earnings report, McDonald’s reported a rare sales miss. Sales in its international licensed markets and corporate sector, including the Middle East, grew by a mere 0.7%, a stark contrast to the robust 16.5% growth seen the previous year. The culprit? The ongoing war in Gaza. The conflict has impacted several markets in the Middle East, leading to a material hit on McDonald’s earnings. The company’s president and CEO, Chris Kempczinski, acknowledged the challenges faced by markets both within and outside the region due to the war and associated misinformation. A viral photo of a McDonald’s franchise in Israel donating free meals to soldiers fueled calls for a boycott, further affecting sales in Middle Eastern and Muslim-majority markets like Indonesia and Malaysia.

Starbucks, too, is feeling the pinch. The coffee giant is forecasting slower growth for the rest of the year, a projection even lower than what analysts had predicted. The company’s earnings have been impacted by the same geopolitical tensions that have affected other fast-food chains. As anti-war activists around the world call for an end to the conflict, companies perceived to have supported Israel or suppressed pro-Palestinian speech on social media are facing scrutiny. Starbucks finds itself caught in the crossfire, with its financial performance reflecting the strain.

Yum Brands, the parent company of Taco Bell, also reported a hit to fourth-quarter sales. The Middle East boycotts have affected the company’s bottom line, emphasizing the interconnectedness of global events and corporate earnings. As the conflict in Gaza continues, businesses like Yum Brands are navigating the delicate balance between their operations and public sentiment.

Burgers aren’t supposed to be political, but recent events have blurred those lines. Fast-food chains, once seen as neutral spaces for quick meals, are now caught up in geopolitical tensions. As the war in Gaza persists, companies must grapple with the impact of their actions and statements. For McDonald’s, Starbucks, and Yum Brands, the Middle East boycotts serve as a stark reminder that even a Happy Meal can carry unintended consequences.


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