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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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TSX Futures Plunge Amid Global Market Sell-Off

 

Futures for Canada’s main stock index, the S&P/TSX, fell sharply on Friday as investors braced for crucial U.S. payrolls data amidst a global market downturn. The September futures on the S&P/TSX index were down 1.0% early in the morning.

The decline follows weaker-than-expected factory data from the U.S. on Thursday, which heightened fears of an economic slowdown and negatively impacted investor sentiment worldwide. Additionally, disappointing earnings reports from major tech companies like Intel and Amazon.com contributed to a sell-off in tech shares across markets.

Despite the overall downturn, an uptick in commodity prices helped limit the declines. Oil prices saw a slight increase, and gold was poised for its biggest weekly jump in four months.

Investors are keenly awaiting the U.S. non-farm payrolls data, expected to provide further insights into the state of the American economy. The Toronto Stock Exchange’s S&P/TSX composite index had ended 1.7% lower on Thursday, marking its biggest daily decline since February.

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