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5 Things to Know Today: Canada’s CPI, Alberta’s Vote and Oil Near $100 (Oct. 18)

  Canadian Money Brief • Sunday, October 18, 2026 Markets are closed, but Monday is packed: Canada's September inflation reading, a high-stakes Alberta referendum and a Bank of Canada decision just ten days away. Here are the five things that matter for your wallet today. 1. Canada's September CPI lands Monday, 9 days before the BoC decision Statistics Canada releases September inflation Monday at 8:30 a.m. ET. A Reuters/LSEG poll of economists expects 3.2% (up from 3.0% in August); TD also sees 3.2%, while RBC expects 3.0% for a third straight month. Core inflation is expected to stay soft, around 1.8%-1.9%. The Bank of Canada also publishes its Business Outlook Survey Monday, and the policy rate (2.25%) is decided Oct. 28. What it means for you: A hot core number would raise odds of a hike, which hits variable-rate mortgages and HELOCs first. A soft core number with headline driven by gas supports the "hold" camp. 2. Alberta votes Monday on ten referendum questio...

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Controversial U.K. Plan to Send Asylum Seekers to Rwanda Sparks Debate


The British parliament recently passed a law that allows for the deportation of asylum seekers arriving on British shores without prior permission to Rwanda. Here are the key points about this contentious program:

  1. Background and Motivation:

    • The U.K. government’s plan was developed in response to a surge in migrant and asylum seeker arrivals via small boats from France.
    • Local asylum programs in the U.K. have been overwhelmed and underfunded, leading to housing asylum seekers in hotels where they remain unable to work until their claims are processed, which can take years.
    • These hotels cost the government nearly £8 million (approximately $10 million) per day to rent.
  2. The Rwanda Plan:

    • The new policy grants Britain’s immigration authorities the power to send any asylum seeker who entered the U.K. “illegally” after January 2022 to Rwanda.
    • Even if their aim is to claim asylum and they have legitimate grounds to do so, individuals arriving without prior permission can be immediately sent to Rwanda, which is approximately 4,000 miles away in East Africa.
    • Under this law, asylum seekers could be granted refugee status in Rwanda and allowed to stay there.
  3. Controversy and Criticism:

    • The program has faced intense controversy and political wrangling.
    • In November 2023, the U.K. Supreme Court ruled the program unlawful, citing violations of the European Convention on Human Rights. The concern was that genuine refugees might be deported back to their home countries, where they could face harm.
    • Human rights groups and the United Nations refugee agency have condemned the plan.
  4. Royal Assent and Ongoing Debate:

    • The bill now awaits King Charles III’s royal ascent to become an official law.
    • The plan has been criticized by various parties, including King Charles III himself, who reportedly called it “appalling” when it was first proposed.
  5. Recent Tragedy:

    • Hours after the law was passed, French officials reported that at least five people, including a child, drowned in the English Channel while attempting to reach the U.K. on an overcrowded small boat.

In summary, the U.K.'s decision to send asylum seekers to Rwanda remains a highly contentious issue, with strong arguments on both sides. While proponents see it as a deterrent to illegal entry, critics raise concerns about human rights and the safety of vulnerable individuals fleeing persecution. The debate continues as the program awaits final approval from the monarchy.

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