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BoC Decision Day: What a Hold at 2.25% Means for Your Mortgage

  Published September 2, 2026 Tomorrow's date has been sitting at the bottom of every Canadian Money Brief for weeks, and it's finally here. The Bank of Canada announces its overnight rate decision on Wednesday, September 2 at 9:45 a.m. ET, with Governor Tiff Macklem holding a press conference at 10:30. Every economist polled by Reuters — all 35 of them — expects the same outcome: a hold at 2.25%, the eighth straight meeting without a move. That's the headline. The more useful question for your wallet is what a "boring" hold actually does — and doesn't do — to your mortgage, and why two of the Big Six banks think the boring streak is about to end. Why a hold is the almost-certain call The Bank has a genuinely awkward setup heading into this meeting. On one side, the economy just posted its best quarter in years: GDP grew at a 3.3% annualized pace in the second quarter, well ahead of the Bank's own 2.5% forecast, and July's jobs report added a blowout ...

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U.S., Britain, and Australia Consider Expanding AUKUS Security Pact to Counter China’s Influence

 

The United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia are poised to engage in talks aimed at broadening their AUKUS security pact. This move comes as Washington advocates for Japan’s inclusion in the pact as a strategic measure against China’s growing assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific region.

The AUKUS pact, unveiled by the three nations in 2023, represents their collective efforts to curb China’s increasing influence. It encompasses joint initiatives related to quantum computing, undersea capabilities, hypersonic technology, artificial intelligence, and cyber advancements. These areas fall under the pact’s “pillar two” commitment.

The upcoming talks will explore the possibility of bringing new members into the AUKUS fold. While the first pillar of the pact focuses on delivering nuclear-powered attack submarines to Australia, the second pillar aims to foster technological collaboration among the member countries. Japan’s involvement is seen as crucial in countering China’s military buildup and territorial ambitions.

China has expressed concern over the AUKUS pact, labeling it as dangerous and warning of a potential arms race in the region. U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell emphasized that the AUKUS submarine project could serve as a deterrent against any Chinese aggression toward Taiwan, a democratically governed island that Beijing claims as part of its territory.

President Joe Biden has actively sought to strengthen partnerships with Asian allies, including Japan and the Philippines. His administration aims to bolster regional security and stability amid China’s geopolitical maneuvers. In the coming days, Biden will host Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in Washington and convene a trilateral summit, which will also include Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

As geopolitical dynamics continue to evolve, the international community closely watches how these diplomatic efforts unfold and their impact on the delicate balance in the Indo-Pacific theater.


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