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Bank of Canada Holds at 2.25% — What the Fine Print Means for You

  July 15, 2026  |  Canadian Money Brief The Bank of Canada held its policy rate at 2.25% today, exactly as every economist surveyed expected. The number didn't move — but the story underneath it did. Between renewed oil-market chaos, a stubbornly hot inflation reading, and an economy that's finally showing signs of life, this "boring" hold decision was anything but simple. If you've been following our preview piece from earlier this week , this is the follow-up: what actually happened, and what it means for your mortgage, your savings, and your grocery bill. The Decision, in Plain English This marks the sixth consecutive hold since the Bank's last cut back in October 2025. The overnight rate stays at 2.25%, the Bank Rate at 2.5%, and the deposit rate at 2.20%. Bank prime — the number that actually determines your variable mortgage or line of credit rate — stays put at 4.45%. Governor Tiff Macklem has described this level as sitting near the bottom of the Bank...

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Tariff Tensions: Trump Threatens 25% on Canadian Goods, Hints at a 10% Oil Levy

 

In a provocative statement aimed at pressuring North American trade partners, President Donald Trump has warned that Canada could face a sweeping 25% tariff on its imports if its policies on border security and drug trafficking remain unchanged. However, in a notable twist, the President suggested that Canadian oil might be subject to a more moderate 10% levy rather than the full tariff rate, a move that could help cushion the blow for one of Canada’s key exports. citeturn0search2

Trump’s remarks underscore his administration’s strategy of using tariffs as a negotiating tool to enforce stricter border controls and compel reforms on issues such as the illegal flow of fentanyl into the United States. While the threat of a 25% tariff has raised concerns among Canadian officials about the potential for retaliatory measures, the possibility of a lower levy on oil imports appears to be a calculated effort to avoid disrupting an energy market that is critical to both economies.

Economic analysts caution that imposing such tariffs could trigger a ripple effect—raising prices for American consumers and unsettling the tightly woven trade ties between the two nations. As both sides prepare for what may be intense negotiations in the coming weeks, the broader implications of this tariff strategy are being closely watched by businesses and policymakers alike.

The coming days are expected to bring heated discussions as Canada and the United States seek a resolution that preserves mutual economic interests while addressing the contentious issues at the border.

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