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Bank of Canada Holds at 2.25% — What the Fine Print Means for You

  July 15, 2026  |  Canadian Money Brief The Bank of Canada held its policy rate at 2.25% today, exactly as every economist surveyed expected. The number didn't move — but the story underneath it did. Between renewed oil-market chaos, a stubbornly hot inflation reading, and an economy that's finally showing signs of life, this "boring" hold decision was anything but simple. If you've been following our preview piece from earlier this week , this is the follow-up: what actually happened, and what it means for your mortgage, your savings, and your grocery bill. The Decision, in Plain English This marks the sixth consecutive hold since the Bank's last cut back in October 2025. The overnight rate stays at 2.25%, the Bank Rate at 2.5%, and the deposit rate at 2.20%. Bank prime — the number that actually determines your variable mortgage or line of credit rate — stays put at 4.45%. Governor Tiff Macklem has described this level as sitting near the bottom of the Bank...
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Cancer-Causing Chemical Detected in Acne Treatments: Brands Under Scrutiny

 


In a recent alarming discovery, independent U.S. laboratory Valisure has detected high levels of the cancer-causing chemical benzene in certain acne treatments. Brands affected include:

  1. Clinique (Estee Lauder)
  2. Clearasil (Reckitt Benckiser-owned)
  3. Proactiv
  4. Target Corp.'s Up & Up
  5. PanOxyl
  6. Walgreens’ acne soap bar
  7. Walmart’s Equate Beauty acne cream

Benzene, a known carcinogen, was found not only in the acne products themselves but also in the air around incubated products, suggesting a potential inhalation risk. Valisure has filed a petition with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) urging product recalls, investigations, and revised industry guidance. The situation is substantially different from previous cases where benzene impurities came from contaminated ingredients. Here, benzene originates directly from the benzoyl peroxide itself, forming at unacceptably high levels.

Consumers are advised to stay informed as regulatory responses unfold. The FDA’s reaction to Valisure’s petition remains pending. Companies implicated in this issue, including Estee Lauder, have yet to respond to media inquiries.

As we await further developments, it’s crucial to prioritize safety and informed choices when it comes to skincare products. 









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