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5 Things to Know Today: BoC Decision Looms, Oil Spikes, Bigger CCB Cheques Land

  Tuesday, July 14, 2026 Good morning. Here's what Canadians need to know today, from tomorrow's Bank of Canada rate call to a bigger Canada Child Benefit deposit landing next week. 1. Bank of Canada decides tomorrow — a hold is widely expected The Bank of Canada announces its interest rate decision Wednesday, July 15, at 9:45 a.m. ET, alongside its quarterly Monetary Policy Report. Markets and economists widely expect the Bank to hold its key rate at 2.25%, with Governor Tiff Macklem holding a press conference at 10:45 a.m. ET to explain the decision. What it means for you: If you're renewing a mortgage or carrying a variable-rate loan or HELOC, tomorrow's decision likely won't change your payment. But watch the tone of the statement closely — renewed oil-price pressure (see #3) could shape how the Bank talks about inflation risk heading into the fall. 2. U.S. inflation data drops this morning The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics releases its June Consumer Price In...

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Blinken Embarks to Middle East for Sixth Gaza Diplomacy Push


 U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken returns to the Middle East on Wednesday for his sixth visit since the start of Israel’s war with Hamas. His mission is to facilitate discussions for a temporary ceasefire and the release of hostages held by Hamas.

Blinken will meet Saudi leaders in Jeddah and Egyptian leaders in Cairo to discuss talks brokered by Egypt and Qatar on an agreement, as well as efforts to get more aid into Gaza. The ongoing negotiations aim to alleviate the humanitarian crisis gripping Gaza. Additionally, Blinken will engage in conversations about arrangements for governance, security, and redevelopment in post-conflict Gaza.

The war was triggered when Hamas fighters crossed into Israel on a rampage, resulting in the loss of 1,200 lives and the capture of 253 hostages according to Israeli tallies. In response, Israel launched a retaliatory onslaught, resulting in the confirmed death of nearly 32,000 people in Hamas-run Gaza, with thousands more feared lost under the rubble.

Despite multiple visits to the U.S. ally on his previous regional swings, Blinken is not scheduled to visit Israel on this trip. Tensions have escalated between U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration and the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who recently rebuffed Biden’s plea to call off a planned ground assault in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, where more than a million displaced Palestinians are sheltering.

Blinken’s diplomatic efforts continue as the international community closely watches the situation unfold in the region.

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