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TSX Hits Record High as Iran Deal Lifts Markets — Daily Update, June 16, 2026

Oil tumbles on Strait of Hormuz reopening framework. All eyes on the Federal Reserve as Kevin Warsh chairs his first policy meeting. Here is everything moving Canadian wallets today. Tuesday, June 16, 2026  |  MoneySavings.ca 🇨🇦 TSX — Another Record on the Books The S&P/TSX Composite closed at a fresh all-time high on Monday, June 15, topping 35,398 intraday before finishing near the upper end of its range. The index is now up more than 11% year-to-date , the second-best performance among major global indexes tracked through mid-June — behind only Japan's Nikkei (+31%). Monday's rally was broad-based, fuelled by a surge in risk appetite following the announcement of a U.S.–Iran peace framework over the weekend. Energy, financials, and materials all participated, though energy stocks gained somewhat less than the others as crude oil prices simultaneously fell sharply on the Strait of Hormuz reopening news — a rare case where the same headline pushed the index up and one ...
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Bank of Canada Urges Urgent Action to Boost Productivity and Tackle Inflation Risks

 

The Bank of Canada (BoC) has issued a stark warning about the country’s low productivity, emphasizing the need for immediate action. In a recent address, Senior Deputy Governor Carolyn Rogers urged businesses to invest more in order to enhance productivity. This move, she emphasized, would serve as a crucial buffer against the looming threat of inflation.

Rogers declared, “It’s an emergency - it’s time to break the glass.” She stressed that increasing productivity is essential for safeguarding the economy without relying solely on higher interest rates. The BoC has already raised rates to a 22-year high, but Rogers refrained from specifying a timeline for potential rate cuts.

The Canadian economy grapples with several challenges affecting productivity:

  • Insufficient Investment: Rogers highlighted the lag in investment in machinery, equipment, and intellectual property.
  • Lack of Competition: A competitive landscape is crucial for driving productivity gains.
  • Skills Utilization: New Canadians often struggle to fully utilize their skills, contributing to the productivity gap.

Rogers warned that inflation could become a more significant threat due to factors such as:

  • Decreasing Globalization Benefits: As globalization wanes, prices face pressure from demographics, climate change, and trade tensions.
  • Productivity and Inflation: An economy with low productivity can only grow so quickly before inflation takes hold.

Despite expectations of productivity improvement post-pandemic, progress has been slow. Meanwhile, other nations outpace Canada in investment. Rogers emphasized the urgency of reversing this trend.

Canadian businesses must prioritize productivity enhancements to fortify the economy against inflationary pressures. The recent uptick in labor productivity is encouraging, but sustained efforts are necessary.

Key Statistics:

  • Canadian businesses’ labor productivity rose 0.4% in Q4 2023 after six consecutive quarters of decline.
  • Annual productivity declined by 1.8% in 2023, marking the third consecutive year of decline.

The Bank of Canada remains vigilant, ready to act if needed. Boosting productivity is not just a recommendation; it’s an economic imperative. 

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