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WestJet's Strike Deadline Is Hours Away — Here's What You're Owed (and What You're Not)

  August 1, 2026 Thousands of flights are already being cancelled ahead of a possible strike this long weekend. Before you panic-book a new flight or file an insurance claim, here's what Canada's passenger rights rules actually cover — and the one detail almost nobody is explaining correctly. Where things stand this morning WestJet's roughly 4,000-plus flight attendants, represented by CUPE 8125, issued a 72-hour strike notice Thursday; WestJet answered with its own 72-hour lockout notice. Unless a deal is reached, a strike or lockout could begin as early as 12:01 a.m. Mountain time Sunday, Aug. 2. The airline has already started an "organized take-down" of its network, cancelling roughly 80 flights scheduled for today (Aug. 1) alone, with more cancellations expected as the deadline nears. Talks are still ongoing, and federal Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon has said negotiations are "progressing." The rights nuance almost no one is explaining correctly ...

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Market Turmoil as U.S. Consumer Confidence Plummets

In a dramatic turn of events, U.S. consumer confidence experienced its steepest decline in three and a half years, sending shockwaves through the stock market. The Conference Board reported that its Consumer Confidence Index fell to 98.3 in February, down from 105.3 in January. This seven-point drop marks the largest single-month decline since August 2021.

The decline in consumer confidence has been attributed to a mix of factors, including rising inflation, concerns over tariffs, and uncertainty surrounding the policies of President Donald Trump. Stephanie Guichard, senior economist for Global Indicators at The Conference Board, noted that consumers became increasingly pessimistic about future business conditions and less optimistic about future income.

The impact of this decline was felt across the stock market, with major indices experiencing significant losses. The Nasdaq Composite Index tumbled 1.4%, while the S&P 500 shed 0.5%. Investors are now closely watching upcoming economic data releases, particularly Friday's inflation report, for further insights into the state of the U.S. economy.

As consumer confidence wanes, the outlook for the U.S. economy remains uncertain. The potential for a recession looms large, with the Conference Board's expectations index dropping below the threshold that typically signals a recession ahead. For now, both consumers and investors are left grappling with the implications of this sudden shift in sentiment.


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