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5 Things to Know Today: BoC Minutes, U.S. CPI and Cheaper Gas (Nov. 8, 2026)

  Canadian Money Brief • Sunday, November 8, 2026 Markets are closed until Monday, but the week ahead is loaded: two Bank of Canada releases, a key U.S. inflation report and some welcome relief at the pump. Here are five things to know today, and what each means for your wallet. 1. Two Bank of Canada releases land early this week The Bank of Canada publishes its Q3 Market Participants Survey Monday at 10:30 a.m. ET, then the summary of deliberations behind its Oct. 28 rate decision Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. ET. The Bank raised its policy rate 25 basis points to 2.50% that day, its first hike since July 2023, and signalled more tightening was possible if energy costs spill into broader prices. The minutes were written before the post-midterm oil drop, so watch how hawkish the tone is. What it means for you: If you have a variable-rate mortgage or a HELOC, the minutes help show whether another hike is on the table at the next decision on Dec. 9. A hawkish read keeps pressure on borrowin...
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Boxing Day Sales See Smaller Crowds Despite GST Break

 

Retailers across the country experienced smaller crowds and cautious spending on Boxing Day this year, despite the federal government's GST holiday. While the tax break, which makes a variety of items GST-free for two months, did attract some shoppers, many consumers remained hesitant due to ongoing cost of living concerns.

Shoppers at Fairview Mall in Toronto, like Nakul Singal, took advantage of the deals but expressed that the tax break alone wasn't enough to offset the high costs of living**. Singal mentioned, "It's good to shop around during this time, but we're still struggling with expenses, especially housing.

Retail Council of Canada's Matt Poirier noted that businesses faced challenges implementing the tax break on short notice, and some older payment systems struggled to adapt.  An RBC Economics report also indicated that retail spending slowed in November, with holiday spending slightly below 2023 levels over the Black Friday weekend.

Despite these challenges, some retailers, like GameStop in north Toronto, saw an influx of customers eager to benefit from the tax holiday. Assistant store manager Joey Comia-Orellano said, "We've been getting shoppers before Boxing Day, and we expect it to get busier as consumers look to save with Boxing Day deals combined with the tax break."

Overall, while the GST break provided some relief, it wasn't enough to fully counteract the economic pressures faced by many Canadians.




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