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5 Things to Know Today: July 2, 2026 — CUSMA Non-Renewal, First CGEB Payment & More

  Your quick morning rundown on the money news that matters to Canadians. 1. The U.S. won't renew CUSMA "in its current form" Washington confirmed on July 1 that it will not agree to extend the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) as written, after the three countries held their first mandatory joint review of the deal. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said the agreement "is not renewed" for now, though it stays in force until 2036 and will instead move to a rolling annual review process. Canada's Dominic LeBlanc says Ottawa still wants CUSMA renewed and extended, with talks continuing on outstanding sectoral tariffs affecting steel, aluminum, autos, and lumber. For now, day-to-day trade rules haven't changed, but the uncertainty is expected to weigh on business investment and could resurface as a headwind for the loonie in the months ahead. 2. First Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit payment lands tomorrow If you're eligible, keep an ey...
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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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