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5 Things to Know Today (Oct. 1): Minimum Wage Hike, Cooler U.S. Inflation, Oil Below $100

  Thursday October 1, 2026 A new quarter, a higher minimum wage in Ontario and a softer inflation read south of the border. Here are the five things that matter to your wallet today. 1 Ontario's minimum wage rises to $17.95 today Ontario's general minimum wage climbs 35 cents, from $17.60 to $17.95 an hour, as of October 1 — a roughly 2% bump tied to Ontario's CPI. The student rate goes to $16.90 (from $16.60) and the homeworker rate to $19.70. A full-time worker at 40 hours a week earns about $718 a week before deductions. Federally regulated workers already have an $18.15 floor, which has applied since April 1. What it means for you: If you pay anyone by the hour — a cleaner, a part-time helper, a seasonal worker — hours worked from today forward must be paid at no less than $17.95, even if the pay period started in September. Workers should check their next paycheque. 2 Cooler U.S. inflation eases the pressure on rate hikes The Fed's preferred inflation gauge came i...

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Trump Considers 25% Tariffs on Canadian and Mexican Goods Starting February 1

In a significant move, U.S. President Donald Trump has suggested the possibility of imposing a 25% tariff on goods imported from Canada and Mexico as early as February 1. This announcement comes shortly after his inauguration as the 47th President of the United States.

During his first day in office, Trump signed a series of executive orders and hinted at the potential tariffs while addressing concerns about the borders with Canada and Mexico. Although he did not impose the tariffs immediately, he directed federal agencies to investigate and address trade deficits and unfair trade practices by other nations, including Canada and Mexico.

The proposed 25% tariff could have severe economic repercussions for Canada, potentially leading to a recession and requiring government intervention to stabilize the economy. In response, Canada has prepared a plan to impose retaliatory tariffs on $37 billion worth of American goods if Trump proceeds with the trade action.

Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc expressed cautious optimism, noting that the threat of tariffs might be suspended for now, but emphasized the importance of being prepared for any scenario. The situation remains fluid, and both countries are closely monitoring developments as they unfold.


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