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Ottawa's Parliament Hill, where the Carney government is rolling out Canada's largest fiscal stimulus package since 1980. / Photo: Unsplash. MoneySavings.ca  ·  Economy & Policy Monday, April 13, 2026  ·  Daily Edition Canada at a crossroads: oil shock, frozen rates, and a trade deal on the clock Canada's economy is navigating a uniquely complicated moment in 2026. A Middle East conflict has sent oil prices surging past US$104 a barrel, a once-in-a-generation fiscal stimulus package is being rolled out in Ottawa, and the clock is ticking on a renegotiation of Canada's most important trade agreement. For everyday Canadians, this means uncertainty at the gas pump, a central bank with limited room to cut rates, and a federal government betting big on public spending to kick-start growth. Here is what you need to know about the forces shaping the Canadian economy right now. 1. The Bank of Canada is stuck — and oil is why The Bank of Canada has held it...

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Montreal Dockworkers Reject Final Offer, Lockout Declared

 

In a significant development, the Montreal Longshoremen’s Union has overwhelmingly rejected the final offer from the Maritime Employers Association (MEA), leading to an immediate lockout. The union, representing approximately 1,200 dockworkers, voted 99.7% against the proposed contract, citing the employer’s refusal to negotiate in good faith.

The MEA expressed disappointment over the outcome, stating that the lockout was unavoidable due to the union’s stance. Essential services and activities unrelated to dockworkers will continue at the port, but the lockout is expected to have substantial economic repercussions, given the Port of Montreal’s role as Canada’s second-largest port, handling nearly $400 million in goods daily.

Union advisor Michel Murray criticized the MEA’s approach, emphasizing that the offer did not address the union’s demands and that the conflict could have been avoided with proper negotiations. The federal labour minister has been urged to intervene to mitigate the economic impact of the lockout.

This lockout adds to the ongoing labor disputes at Canada’s major ports, with workers at the Port of Vancouver also locked out due to a separate contract dispute.


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