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BoC Opens the Door to Rate Hikes: What It Means for Your Mortgage

  Published September 4, 2026 The Bank of Canada held its policy rate at 2.25% on September 2 — the seventh straight hold — but Governor Tiff Macklem didn't sound like a central banker done for the year. He told reporters the Bank is "prepared to raise interest rates, and if it takes more than one increase, we're prepared to do that," if inflation stays too high. That's a real shift in tone, and it lands right as a wave of Canadians hit their mortgage renewal date. Here's what changed, who's forecasting what, and what it actually means for your payment. Why the Bank Suddenly Sounds Hawkish Canada's annual inflation rate has climbed to around 3% — a full point above the Bank's 2% target — and the Bank is pointing squarely at energy prices. Oil has stayed elevated because of the Iran conflict and disruption near the Strait of Hormuz, pushing gas prices up and dragging headline CPI with it. Core inflation, which strips out food and energy, is still s...

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Starbucks Workers Escalate Strike, Threatening Holiday Operations

 

Starbucks workers across the United States have launched a five-day strike, demanding better pay, staffing, and schedules. The strike, organized by the Starbucks Workers United union, began on December 20th in cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, and Seattle. The union warns that the strike could impact hundreds more stores by Christmas Eve.

Union members cite unresolved issues over wages and labor practices as key reasons for the protest. Despite earning an average of $21 an hour, baristas argue that this wage is inadequate given inflation and the high cost of living, especially since many employees don't receive 40-hour workweeks.

Starbucks has held multiple bargaining sessions with the union since April but claims that the union prematurely ended the latest session. The company has offered a 1.5% wage increase in future years, but the union has rejected this offer, demanding a more substantial raise.

As the holiday season approaches, the strike poses a significant challenge for Starbucks, which relies heavily on holiday sales. The union's actions reflect a broader trend of labor unrest in the service industry, with similar strikes occurring at other major companies.

The outcome of these negotiations remains uncertain, but the strike has already garnered significant attention and support from the public.



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