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Why Interest Rates Matter for Canadians

Interest rates are the single most powerful lever in Canada's economy.  When the Bank of Canada adjusts its policy rate, the effects reach every household—from the cost of carrying a mortgage to the return on a savings account. With rates currently at 2.25% and significant uncertainty ahead, understanding how rates work has never been more important for your finances. What Is the Bank of Canada's Policy Rate? The Bank of Canada sets the overnight policy rate—the interest rate at which major banks lend money to each other. This rate serves as a benchmark that influences borrowing and lending costs across the entire economy. When the Bank raises or lowers this rate, commercial banks adjust their prime rates accordingly, which directly affects the rates you pay on mortgages, lines of credit, and other loans. The Bank's primary goal is to keep inflation near its 2% target. When inflation runs too hot, the Bank raises rates to cool spending. When the economy slows, it cuts rates...
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Tragedy in Gaza: Airstrike Claims Lives Amid Ongoing Conflict


In a devastating turn of events, Israeli forces bombarded homes in the northern Gaza Strip, resulting in the deaths of at least 15 people. The airstrike, which targeted a building in the town of Beit Lahiya, left several others wounded and many more missing. The Palestinian Civil Emergency Service reported that rescue workers struggled to reach the site immediately due to the ongoing conflict.

The attack has further strained the already overwhelmed hospitals in the area, which are barely operational and unable to cope with the influx of wounded individuals. Residents in Jabalia, Beit Lahiya, and Beit Hanoun reported that clusters of houses were bombed, with some set ablaze. Israeli drones also dropped bombs outside a school sheltering displaced families, suggesting an attempt to scare them into leaving.

The Israeli military, which began its offensive against Hamas in Gaza following the militant group's attack on southern Israeli communities on October 7, 2023, stated that its latest operations in northern Gaza aim to prevent militants from regrouping and launching further attacks. However, the ongoing conflict has resulted in significant casualties and displacement, with Gaza officials reporting over 44,400 deaths and widespread destruction across the enclave.

Efforts to reach a ceasefire continue, with Egyptian officials hosting talks between Hamas and the rival Fatah group led by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. The discussions aim to establish a committee to govern post-war Gaza, but no final agreement has been reached. Meanwhile, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza worsens, with the international community calling for urgent action to address the dire situation.

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