Skip to main content

Featured

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...

article

Trump's Bold Claims on U.S. Independence from Canadian Resources

 

In a recent virtual address at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, U.S. President Donald Trump made a series of bold statements regarding the United States' reliance on Canadian resources. Trump asserted that the U.S. does not need imports of oil, gas, vehicles, or lumber from Canada, citing the country's own abundant resources.

Trump's remarks come amid heightened tensions between the two nations over trade tariffs. He characterized the trade relationship as adversarial and unfair, blaming Canada's import policies for the U.S.'s trade deficit. Trump emphasized his administration's protectionist stance, suggesting that the U.S. should manufacture its goods domestically or face tariffs.

The comments have sparked widespread criticism from Canadian political leaders and industry experts. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith called for diplomacy over public threats of retaliation, highlighting the critical role of cross-border trade in the energy sector. Canadian energy analysts have also pushed back, arguing that the U.S. does, in fact, rely on Canadian crude oil for its refineries.

As the debate continues, the future of U.S.-Canada trade relations remains uncertain, with both sides navigating the complexities of economic interdependence and national interests.


Comments