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Premiers Split on Using Potash as a Trade Weapon — What It Means for Your Grocery Bill

  Published August 31, 2026 Canada's premiers can't agree on how far to take the trade war with the United States — and this week, the fight is over a grey mineral mined almost 2,000 kilometres from Ottawa: potash. The disagreement matters well beyond provincial politics. Potash is the "P" and "K" of fertilizer economics — a key ingredient in the blends that grow the wheat, canola, and corn that eventually show up as bread, canola oil, and everything fed to livestock. Canada supplies about 85% of the potash the U.S. uses, which is exactly why some premiers see it as leverage — and why others are warning that pulling that lever could backfire on the very provinces pushing for it. Ford wants to pull the lever. Moe and Smith are warning not to. Ontario Premier Doug Ford is pushing for the toughest response available, including resource-based leverage. Saskatchewan's Scott Moe and Alberta's Danielle Smith are pumping the brakes, warning that squeezing po...

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Canada’s Employment Boom: 76,000 New Jobs Signal Economic Recove

 


Canada’s labour market made impressive gains in January as the economy added a net 76,000 jobs, helping push the unemployment rate down to 6.6%. The surge in employment far exceeded economists’ expectations, signaling renewed confidence amid ongoing global economic uncertainties.

A key driver behind the strong performance was the manufacturing sector, which contributed roughly 33,000 new positions. This development underscores the sector’s reliance on U.S. demand for Canadian exports, a factor that has become increasingly significant given current trade tensions. In addition to the manufacturing boost, full-time employment also saw a healthy increase while part-time roles added to the overall strength of the report.

Despite these encouraging signs, analysts remain cautious. Although the unemployment rate has fallen, it still points to some underlying slack in the labour market. Wage growth moderated slightly to 3.5% on a year-over-year basis, which could influence upcoming monetary policy decisions by the Bank of Canada. With the possibility of further interest rate cuts on the horizon, this robust job report is likely to play a crucial role in shaping economic policy in the coming months.

The latest figures paint a positive picture for Canada’s recovery, offering renewed optimism for a more resilient and dynamic economic future.

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