Skip to main content

Featured

5 Things to Know Today — September 25, 2026

  Friday, September 25, 2026  |  moneysavings.ca/canadian-money-brief Bond yields are nearing levels not seen in nearly two decades, Iran is offering a Hormuz truce, Ottawa just posted a fresh deficit, the loonie slid to 70.74 cents, and Canadian consumers pulled back in July. Here's what each story means for your money. 01 — Interest Rates Bond Yields Hit 5.10% — and Your Mortgage Is Watching The 10-year U.S. Treasury yield climbed to approximately 5.10% overnight — a level last seen in 2007 — while the 30-year surged to around 5.43%, its highest since 2004. The spike was triggered by a combination of stronger-than-expected U.S. PMI data, hawkish comments from Federal Reserve officials in New York and Philadelphia, and a weak Treasury auction. Canada's own 10-year bond yield has been tracking close behind, already at multi-year highs. Why does a U.S. number matter here? Canadian fixed mortgage rates are largely priced off the Government of Canada 5-year bond yield, which...

article

U.S. Urges Canada and NATO Allies to Meet 2% Defense Spending Target


The upcoming NATO Summit in Washington is set to address a pressing issue: defense spending commitments among member nations. While most allies have made strides toward meeting the 2% of GDP target, Canada remains an outlier. In this article, we explore the challenges faced by Canada and the potential consequences of failing to step up its defense investment.

Canada’s Lagging Commitment

Canada, one of NATO’s founding members, pledged in 2014 to allocate 2% of its GDP to defense spending. However, it has consistently fallen short of this goal. Unlike many other NATO countries, Canada has not only missed the 2% benchmark but also failed to allocate 20% of that spending to new equipment. This stance has frustrated allies across the board.

Allies’ Frustration

Diplomats from various NATO countries express their frustration with Canada’s lack of urgency. Despite its strong economy and historical alliance with the U.S., Canada has not prioritized defense spending. European allies, who face criticism for their own efforts, feel that Canada escapes similar pressure from Washington.

Potential Consequences

As the NATO Summit approaches, allies are expected to press Ottawa to fulfill its commitment. Failure to do so could have serious implications. Moreover, concerns arise about the potential return of Donald Trump to the White House, which might exacerbate the situation.

Conclusion

Canada’s diplomatic standing and military readiness are at stake. The NATO Summit serves as a crucial moment for Canada to address its defense spending shortfall and demonstrate its commitment to collective security.


Comments