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Start Saving Now for September: Your RESP Checklist Before the School Year Hits

  Canadian Money Brief · Family Finance September feels a long way off on July 1. That's exactly why now is the right time to look at your child's RESP — not in late August when the school supply list arrives and the grant math gets rushed. If you have a Registered Education Savings Plan (or you've been meaning to open one), here's what to check right now, and why the calendar year — not the school year — is what actually matters. Why July, Not August The Canada Education Savings Grant (CESG) — the government's 20% match on RESP contributions — runs on the calendar year , not the school year. Grant room for 2026 resets on a January-to-December basis, and it doesn't carry any special "back to school" deadline. But summer is genuinely the best time to check your numbers, for three reasons: You still have six full months left in the year to top up if you're behind. Contributions made now have more time to grow before your child needs the money. You av...

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Trump’s Re-election Sends Canadian Dollar to Four-Year Low

 

The re-election of Donald Trump has significantly impacted the currency markets, with the Canadian dollar (loonie) falling to a four-year low against the U.S. dollar. This phenomenon, often referred to as the “Trump trade,” has seen the loonie drop around 2% since the election and approximately 4% since September, when financial markets began anticipating Trump’s return to the White House.

The primary driver behind this decline is the strengthening of the U.S. dollar, bolstered by expectations of Trump’s economic policies, which include tariffs, corporate tax cuts, and deregulation. These policies are anticipated to boost U.S. economic growth, increase the government deficit, and fuel inflation, leading to higher U.S. interest rates and a surging equity market.

For Canada, the weaker loonie has mixed implications. On one hand, it makes Canadian exports more competitive, potentially benefiting exporters. On the other hand, it raises the cost of imported goods, impacting Canadian consumers who will face higher prices for products coming from the U.S. The Bank of Canada has also been cutting interest rates faster than the U.S. Federal Reserve to stave off a recession, further contributing to the loonie’s decline.

Overall, the “Trump trade” underscores the interconnectedness of global economies and the significant influence of U.S. economic policies on international markets.


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