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WestJet Strike Countdown: What to Do If You're Flying This Long Weekend

  Published July 31, 2026  |  Canadian Money Brief If you've got a WestJet flight booked for this weekend, here's the situation in one line: a strike or a lockout could ground the airline's cabin crew as early as Saturday, August 1 at 11:59 p.m. Mountain Time / Sunday, August 2 at 12:01 a.m. MT — right at the start of the busy August long weekend. Nothing has happened yet. WestJet and the union representing its roughly 4,400 flight attendants, CUPE Local 8125, are both still at the table. But both sides have now filed the legal paperwork that makes a work stoppage possible within days, so this is the moment to actually check your booking rather than hope it sorts itself out. HOW WE GOT HERE Flight attendants voted 99.4% in favour of a strike mandate back on July 15. On July 30, the union issued a 72-hour strike notice over wages and unpaid ground work — CUPE says the average flight attendant does about 35 hours a month of unpaid boarding, security, and delay-related work...

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Market Predicts 50 Basis Point Rate Cut by BoC Amidst Weak Job Data

 

In a surprising turn of events, money markets are now heavily betting on an oversized 50 basis point rate cut by the Bank of Canada (BoC) next week, following today's disappointing jobs data. Analysts had anticipated a more conservative cut, but the weaker-than-expected employment figures have shifted expectations dramatically.

The BoC had previously cut interest rates by 50 basis points in October, bringing the rate down to 3.75%. This move was aimed at curbing inflation and supporting economic growth. However, today's job data revealed a sluggish labor market, with modest job layoffs and weak business hiring, particularly affecting young people and newcomers to Canada.

Economists are now predicting that the BoC will take a more aggressive stance to stimulate the economy, with a 50 basis point cut seen as necessary to maintain inflation at the 2% target and support economic recovery. The market's reaction underscores the growing concerns about the economic outlook and the need for more substantial measures to boost growth.

As the BoC prepares for its December rate decision, all eyes will be on the central bank to see if it follows through with the anticipated rate cut. The decision will have significant implications for borrowing costs and overall economic activity in Canada.



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