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5 Things to Know Today — June 11, 2026

  The Bank of Canada confirmed its fifth straight rate hold yesterday, oil slipped back toward $89 a barrel after fresh U.S. strikes on Iran, and Canada Post workers officially have a new contract. Here is what every Canadian needs to know heading into Wednesday. 1 of 5 — Interest Rates Bank of Canada holds at 2.25% — for the fifth time in a row The Bank of Canada kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 2.25% on June 10, marking five consecutive holds since late 2025. Governor Tiff Macklem said the central bank is trying to balance two opposing forces: inflation pushed higher by elevated energy costs from the Middle East war, and an economy that has barely grown in recent quarters. "Economic weakness combined with rising inflation is a dilemma for monetary policy," Macklem told reporters, adding that holding the rate "balances those risks" for now. What it means for you: Variable-rate mortgage holders and borrowers with lines of credit get another month of pa...

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Congress in Crisis: Scrambling to Avert Government Shutdown



In a dramatic turn of events, the U.S. Congress is racing against the clock to prevent a partial government shutdown. This urgency follows the rejection of a demand by President-elect Donald Trump to lift the nation's debt ceiling. The House of Representatives, led by Speaker Mike Johnson, is attempting to navigate a narrow path that can satisfy both the Republican-controlled House and the Democratic-majority Senate as the midnight Friday funding deadline looms.

Conservative Republicans recently dismissed Trump's call for a five-year suspension of the U.S. debt ceiling, which could have added trillions more to the government's $36 trillion debt. This rejection has left Congress without a clear plan to avoid the shutdown. The situation is further complicated by Trump's insistence on extending the debt ceiling to 2029, a demand that has not gained traction among lawmakers.

The failure of a hastily revised alternative bill, which aimed to keep the federal budget running at its current level through March and provide $100 billion in disaster relief, has added to the uncertainty. This bill was rejected by a vote of 174-235, highlighting the deep divisions within the Republican Party and the broader Congress.

As the deadline approaches, the pressure is mounting on Congress to find a solution that can avert the shutdown and ensure the continued functioning of the federal government. The stakes are high, with potential disruptions to government services and paychecks for federal workers hanging in the balance.

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