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5 Things to Know Today: Canada Enters Recession, Oil Slips on Iran Ceasefire Talk

Saturday, May 30, 2026 — Your quick-hit Canadian financial briefing for the day. 1.Canada Officially Meets the Definition of a Technical Recession Statistics Canada confirmed Friday that real GDP contracted 0.1% on an annualized basis in Q1 2026 — following a revised 1.0% drop in Q4 2025 . That's two straight quarters of negative growth, which meets the technical definition of a recession. The miss was a big one: economists had forecast growth of 1.5% . The main culprits were a surge in imports (up 2.9%, largely gold), declining business capital investment (down 0.7% — its fifth consecutive quarterly drop ), and weakness in resource extraction and construction. On a per-capita basis, GDP actually edged up 0.2% as Canada's population shrank for the second quarter in a row. Not everyone is ready to call it a full recession: some economists note that three of the four weak months were isolated, and early April data points to a sharp 0.4% rebound . Still, the numbers ...

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Alberta Stands Alone: Refuses to Sign Joint Statement on Trump Tariffs

 

In a surprising turn of events, Alberta has refused to sign a joint statement from the first ministers' meeting regarding the Trump administration's proposed tariffs on Canadian goods. Premier Danielle Smith, who attended the meeting virtually, stated that Alberta cannot support the federal government's plan if it includes energy export tariffs. 

The meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, aimed to present a united front against the U.S. tariff threats. However, Smith's refusal to sign the statement has highlighted the province's unique concerns about the potential impact on its energy sector. Alberta's oil and gas industry, which is Canada's largest export to the U.S., could face significant financial pressure if the tariffs are implemented.

Smith emphasized that Alberta will take whatever actions are necessary to protect its economy and the livelihoods of its residents. This stance has sparked a debate among the premiers, with some urging unity while others acknowledge Alberta's specific vulnerabilities.

The situation remains tense as Canada awaits further developments from the Trump administration. The potential tariffs could have far-reaching consequences for the Canadian economy, particularly for Alberta's vital energy sector.


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