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Budget 2026 Lands Nov. 5: What to Do (and Not Do) With Your RRSP and TFSA First

  CANADIAN MONEY BRIEF  |  FEATURE  |  OCT. 23, 2026 The federal budget is 13 days away, tax-reform calls are getting louder, and “act now” headlines are about to pile up. Here’s what is actually confirmed, what is just lobbying, and what to leave alone. Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne told the House of Commons on Oct. 20 that Budget 2026 will be tabled on Nov. 5 . It is the second budget since the Liberals moved the fiscal plan to the fall, and it lands two days after the U.S. midterm elections. Between now and then, expect a flood of speculation about RRSPs, TFSAs and capital gains. Before you move a dollar, it helps to separate three things: what’s confirmed, what’s being asked for, and what the rules say today. Key dates on your calendar Oct. 28 Bank of Canada rate decision (9:45 a.m. ET) Oct. 29 Ontario fall economic statement Nov. 3 U.S. midterm elections Nov. 5 Federal Budget 2026 Dec. 9 Final Bank of Canada decision of 2026 Mar. 1, 2027 RRSP...

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Japan Sinks into Recession and Loses Its Position in the Global Economy

 

In a significant economic shift, Japan has slipped from its position as the world’s third-largest economy, falling behind Germany. The latest government data reveals that Japan’s economy contracted in the last quarter of 2023, leading to this change in ranking.

For over a decade, Japan held the second spot, but it ceded that position to China. Now, it faces another setback as Germany surpasses it. Here are the key points:

  1. Economic Contraction: Japan’s real GDP shrank by 0.1% in the final quarter of 2023, primarily due to weak spending by households and businesses. Private consumption, which accounts for more than half of economic activity, fell by 0.2% as households grappled with rising living costs and stagnant wages.

  2. Yen’s Impact: The sharp decline of the Japanese yen against the US dollar over the past two years played a crucial role. A weaker yen affects export profits when earnings are repatriated. Germany, too, faces similar challenges, despite being Europe’s largest economy.

  3. Structural Reforms Needed: Japan’s labor crunch is worse than Germany’s, and addressing the low birthrate remains a challenge. The government emphasizes structural reforms, including promoting full-time work for women and easing barriers to foreign investment.

  4. Technical Recession: With two consecutive quarters of contraction, Japan officially enters a technical recession. The country must navigate economic headwinds while welcoming a record number of foreign workers.

While the loss of its global ranking is a blow, Japan remains resilient. As it grapples with demographic shifts and economic complexities, policymakers strive to steer the nation toward sustainable growth.


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