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Why Interest Rates Matter for Canadians

Interest rates are the single most powerful lever in Canada's economy.  When the Bank of Canada adjusts its policy rate, the effects reach every household—from the cost of carrying a mortgage to the return on a savings account. With rates currently at 2.25% and significant uncertainty ahead, understanding how rates work has never been more important for your finances. What Is the Bank of Canada's Policy Rate? The Bank of Canada sets the overnight policy rate—the interest rate at which major banks lend money to each other. This rate serves as a benchmark that influences borrowing and lending costs across the entire economy. When the Bank raises or lowers this rate, commercial banks adjust their prime rates accordingly, which directly affects the rates you pay on mortgages, lines of credit, and other loans. The Bank's primary goal is to keep inflation near its 2% target. When inflation runs too hot, the Bank raises rates to cool spending. When the economy slows, it cuts rates...

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Trump and Republicans Set Ambitious 100-Day Agenda with Focus on Tax Cuts


In a bold move, President-elect Donald Trump and the Republican majority in Congress are gearing up for an ambitious 100-day agenda, with tax cuts taking center stage. The plan aims to renew approximately $4 trillion in expiring GOP tax cuts, a hallmark of Trump's first term. 

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise emphasized the urgency of being prepared from Day 1, as GOP lawmakers have been meeting privately with Trump to outline their strategy. The proposed policies will reignite debates on America's priorities, income inequality, and the size and scope of government, especially given the mounting federal deficits nearing $2 trillion annually.

The tax cuts, initially passed in 2017, have significantly benefited higher-income households, with the top 1% receiving substantial reductions. As Republicans prepare to extend and enhance these cuts, they also plan to lower the corporate tax rate further and eliminate taxes on tips and overtime pay.

This ambitious agenda will test whether Trump and his allies can deliver the outcomes voters expect, having granted them control of both Congress and the White House.


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