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5 Things to Know Today: US Inflation Day, Canada’s Job Losses and Oil Near $106 | Oct. 14, 2026

  Canadian Money Brief  |  Wednesday, October 14, 2026 Good morning. The biggest number of the day lands at 8:30 a.m. ET, and it could shape where mortgage rates and the loonie go next. Here are the five things worth knowing before you start your day. 1 US inflation report lands at 8:30 a.m. ET September U.S. CPI is the last major inflation reading before the Fed meets Oct. 27–28. Economists expect headline inflation to climb to roughly 3.6%–3.7% from 3.4% in August, a gasoline-driven jump of about 0.6% on the month, while core inflation is seen cooling to around 0.2% month over month. The Fed raised its target range to 3.75%–4.00% on Sept. 16, but September payrolls added just 29,000 jobs, and markets now see roughly a one-in-four chance of another hike in October, with December still largely priced in. What it means for you: A hotter-than-expected print can push bond yields higher, and Canadian fixed mortgage rates follow the 5-year bond. A cooler one eases the pressu...
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Aid World in Turmoil: USAID Contractors Face Layoffs and Cash Crunch Under Trump Overhaul


In a dramatic shakeup of U.S. foreign assistance, contractors working with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) have been forced to fire staff and grapple with severe cash shortages amid sweeping changes imposed by President Donald Trump. Hours after taking office, Trump ordered a comprehensive review—and subsequent freeze—of nearly all U.S. foreign aid programs. The move, aimed at realigning spending with “America First” priorities, has led to blanket stop-work orders that left hundreds of contractors without incoming payments for approved projects.

Contractors, who normally front project costs and then invoice the government, suddenly found their revenue streams drying up. As a result, companies reported laying off large portions of their workforce and initiating furloughs, with some citing unpaid invoices worth millions of dollars. The financial crunch has not only jeopardized the livelihoods of thousands of aid workers but also threatened critical programs abroad—from nutritional support for malnourished children to life-saving health initiatives.

Critics warn that these abrupt changes risk undermining decades of humanitarian work that has saved millions of lives, while supporters argue that the review is necessary to eliminate waste and ensure that aid spending directly supports U.S. national interests. As the situation unfolds, uncertainty looms over the future of U.S. foreign assistance, with contractors and aid organizations bracing for further disruptions and potential legal battles over lost benefits and unpaid debts.


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