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Canadian Money Brief – June 1, 2026: Markets Kick Off June on a High Note

  Markets Kick Off June on a High Note A strong finish to May carries momentum into the first trading session of June, with tech leading the charge and a major Berkshire deal grabbing headlines. At a Glance — Friday May 29 Close (Most Recent Confirmed) Index / Asset Level Change S&P/TSX Composite 34,769 +0.73% S&P 500 7,580 +0.22% Dow Jones 51,032 +0.72% Nasdaq Composite 26,973 +0.20% CAD/USD 0.7249 –0.06% WTI Crude Oil US$87.36/bbl –1.73% Gold US$4,574/oz –0.42% Sources: Yahoo Finance, Trading Economics. Closing data as of May 29, 2026. June 1 intraday data referenced in body. May Goes Out on a High North American markets wrapped up May in fine form. All three major U.S. indexes — the S&P 500, the Dow, and the Nasdaq — finished Friday at record closing highs, capping a month that saw the tech-heavy Nasdaq surge roughly 8% and the S&P 500 gain around 5%. The TSX also had a solid run, closing above the 34,700 mark on Friday, supported by a rebound in financials and ...

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Canada Post Strike Disrupts Black Friday Sales and Holiday Shipments

 

The ongoing Canada Post strike has significantly disrupted Black Friday sales and holiday shipments, causing frustration among businesses and consumers alike. The strike, which began on November 15, 2024, has now entered its third week, with over 55,000 postal workers demanding improved wages and job security.

The timing of the strike couldn't be worse, as the period leading up to Black Friday and the holiday season is typically the busiest time of the year for Canada Post. The Crown corporation has reported missing out on delivering approximately 10 million parcels since the strike began. This has forced many small businesses to seek alternative, often more expensive, shipping options.

Retail analyst Bruce Winder noted that while larger retailers with their own logistics networks are less affected, small businesses are bearing the brunt of the strike. "The price increase from Canada Post to couriers is significant, and most small businesses can't afford to absorb these costs," Winder said.

Dan Kelly, president of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB), added that some small businesses might take a loss this season just to get goods out the door and avoid inventory pileups in the new year. "If we don't have the strike resolved this week, most merchants are not going to be able to use Canada Post as a reliable delivery service," Kelly warned.

Even if the strike is resolved soon, it will likely take weeks for Canada Post to clear the backlog of unsent items and catch up with the demand. This means that many holiday packages may not arrive until after Christmas, causing further inconvenience for consumers and businesses.

The strike has also highlighted the vulnerability of rural and remote communities that rely solely on Canada Post for their mail delivery. "Everyone saying we don't need Canada Post obviously doesn't live in a rural area that couriers don't come to," one consumer commented online.

As negotiations between Canada Post and the union continue, businesses and consumers are left hoping for a swift resolution to minimize the impact on the holiday season.



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