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Vancouver Budget Balances Books Without Tax Hike

Vancouver city council approved a 2026 budget, which includes a freeze on municipal property taxes. Vancouver City Council has approved a new budget that pledges no increase in property taxes, a move welcomed by many residents facing rising living costs. However, the financial plan comes with significant trade-offs: millions of dollars will be cut from arts programs, park services, and other community initiatives. City officials argue the budget reflects a commitment to fiscal responsibility while easing pressure on households. Critics, however, warn that reductions in cultural and recreational funding could erode the city’s vibrancy and limit access to public spaces. The decision highlights the ongoing challenge of balancing affordability with investment in community life. As Vancouver grows, the debate over how to fund essential services without raising taxes is likely to intensify.

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S&P/TSX Composite Slips as U.S. Markets Surge

 

In a mixed start to the week, Canada’s main stock index, the S&P/TSX composite, dipped slightly, shedding 51.22 points to close at 21,587.88. Meanwhile, U.S. markets continued their ascent, with the Dow Jones industrial average gaining 188.94 points, reaching 38,778.10. The S&P 500 index also rose by 41.63 points to 5,473.23, and the Nasdaq composite climbed 168.14 points to 17,857.02.

Investors on both sides of the border are adjusting to recent interest rate decisions by the U.S. Federal Reserve and the Bank of Canada. While the TSX experienced some losses, optimism remains, buoyed by positive housing starts data in Montreal and Toronto.

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