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5 Things to Know Today: Midterms Day, Oil Plunge, Trade Deal, Budget (Nov 3)

  Canadian Money Brief • Tuesday, November 3, 2026 It’s Election Day in the United States, oil just had its biggest one-day drop since late July, and Ottawa tables its budget on Thursday. Here are five things to know today, and what each one means for your wallet. 1. U.S. midterms: Canada is watching Americans vote in the midterm elections today. Markets are expecting Democrats to win the House of Representatives, while control of the Senate is still uncertain. Trade policy has been a campaign issue, especially in border states such as Michigan and Maine, where Republican candidates have faced pressure over tariffs that have hurt local businesses. What it means for you: The result could move the loonie, the TSX and the tariff talks over the coming days, but one election night is rarely a reason to rebuild your TFSA or RRSP. If you need to convert Canadian dollars to U.S. dollars soon, expect choppy exchange rates. 2. Oil plunges on Iran diplomacy, then bounces Oil fell sharply o...

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Freight Train Standstill: Canadians Await Details on Railway Reopening

 

Businesses and industry leaders across Canada are holding their breath as they await updates on when freight trains will resume operations. The federal government has stepped in after a work stoppage brought all shipments to a halt for an entire day.

Months of tense negotiations between Canadian Pacific Kansas City Ltd. (CPKC) and Canadian National Railway Co. (CN) reached a breaking point when the two sides failed to reach a deal by 12:01 a.m. eastern time on Thursday. In response, both companies locked out workers.

Federal Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon swiftly intervened, asking the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) to impose binding arbitration on the parties. He also requested that the railways resume operations under the terms of the old collective agreement until new deals are in place.

CN promptly lifted its lockout in anticipation of a formal order from the board, while CPKC prepared to restart operations. However, the Teamsters union, representing rail workers, refused to discuss resuming service and instead challenged the constitutionality of MacKinnon’s direction.

The impact of this work stoppage extends beyond supply chains. Tens of thousands of commuters in Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver rely on lines running on CPKC-owned tracks. The urgency to restore rail services is palpable, and all eyes are on the CIRB’s decision.


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