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Democrats Win U.S. Congress: What It Means for Canadian Tariffs and Your Wallet

  Canadian Money Brief • Wednesday, November 4, 2026 Democrats have won control of both the U.S. House and Senate, including seats in states Donald Trump carried by double digits two years ago. For Canadians, the big question is simple: does this end the tariffs? The short answer is not yet. What happened The Associated Press and major U.S. networks called the Senate for Democrats late Tuesday night and the House early Wednesday. Democrats flipped seven Republican-held Senate seats, according to Forbes’ tally of AP calls, including Maine, North Carolina, Iowa, Ohio and Texas. In the House, roughly 75 races were still undecided at last report, and the new Congress does not take over until 2027. Democratic leaders framed the result as a call for change, while news outlets widely described it as a rebuke of President Trump. Trump told the New York Times he was “absolutely willing” to accept the results and said Republicans would work with Democrats. Why it matters in Canada Democrati...

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US Economy Adds 175,000 Jobs in April, Unemployment Rate Edges Up


The latest data from the Labor Department reveals that the US economy added 175,000 jobs in April. While this marks a solid gain, it falls short of the 240,000 jobs that economists had anticipated. Here are the key facts and figures:

  1. Job Creation: The US job market has been expanding at a robust pace despite 11 rate hikes from the Federal Reserve aimed at slowing down the economy. In March, the economy added an impressive 315,000 jobs, well above expectations. However, April’s figure of 175,000 indicates a firm slowdown in job growth.

  2. Unemployment Rate: The unemployment rate ticked up slightly to 3.9%, compared to the estimated 3.8%. While this increase is modest, it highlights the ongoing challenges in the labor market.

  3. Wage Gains: Workers’ wage gains continue to outpace inflation, providing some relief amid rising living costs. However, the pace of wage bumps has slowed, which could impact the Federal Reserve’s efforts to manage inflation.

Despite the April slowdown, the US economy has maintained a remarkable streak of 40 consecutive months of employment expansion, making it the fifth longest such period on record. Additionally, the nation’s jobless rate has held below 4% for 26 consecutive months.

Investors are closely monitoring these developments, as any further signs of a slowdown could prompt the central bank to consider a rate cut sooner than expected. For now, markets anticipate the first cut to occur in November or December.

In summary, while the US job market remains resilient, the April report suggests a need for continued vigilance as economic conditions evolve.

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