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5 Things to Know Today: The Money News Shaping Your Week

5 Things to Know Today: The Money News Shaping Your Week 1. Canada’s Economy Grew Faster Than Expected Canada’s economy expanded at an annualized 2.6% in Q4, driven by stronger household spending, exports, and business investment. 2. Manitoba Fast‑Tracks Major Infrastructure Projects A new federal‑provincial agreement introduces a “one project, one review” system to accelerate ports, highways, and energy corridors. 3. Job Market Shows a Small but Positive Uptick Canada added 14,000 jobs in March, with wages rising 4.7% — a key factor ahead of the Bank of Canada’s April 29 rate decision. 4. Oil Markets Remain Volatile After Hormuz Reopening Iran has reopened the Strait of Hormuz, but analysts warn global oil markets may take time to stabilize. 5. Canadians Face Rising Affordability Pressures More Canadians are turning to budgeting tools as inflation, energy costs, and housing pressures persist.

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NATO head pushes Canada to meet 2% defence spending target

 

Speaking in Ottawa on Wednesday, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg urged Canada to meet the target agreed upon by members of the military alliance: spending at least two percent of its gross domestic product (GDP) on defense. 

While Canada has made commitments in this regard, Stoltenberg expects all allies to do more and follow through on their pledges. Notably, in 2023, there was an unprecedented 11% increase in defense spending across European Allies and Canada, with 18 Allies expected to meet the 2% GDP target in 2024—a significant rise since 2014 when only three Allies achieved it. 

Canada’s current forecasted defense spending is around 1.36% of GDP, projected to reach 1.43% by fiscal year 2024-25. 

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