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5 Things to Know Today: Retaliation Tariffs Hit, Oil Spikes on Saudi Strikes

  Tuesday, September 8, 2026 — Your morning rundown of the Canadian financial news that actually affects your wallet. 1. Canada's $27.6B Retaliation Tariffs Take Effect At 12:01 a.m. today, Canada's countermeasures against more than 700 U.S. products came into force, matching Washington's August 22 tariffs dollar-for-dollar. Tariffs on American steel and aluminum double to 50%, while new levies of 15% to 50% now apply to dairy, appliances, agricultural equipment, pulp and paper, and electronics. A $7.5-billion support package is rolling out for affected Canadian businesses. What it means for you: U.S.-made appliances (fridges, freezers, washers, dryers, ranges) now carry a 25% tariff, and cheese, whey, and milk powder imports jump 25%–50%. Shopping for a new appliance or specialty dairy product? Expect price increases to show up at retail over the coming weeks. 2. Oil Surges to ~$99 on Overnight Saudi Strikes Overnight strikes on Saudi energy facilities pushed Brent crude...

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Ottawa to Remove Federal Exceptions from Canadian Free Trade Agreement

 

In a significant move to bolster interprovincial trade, the Canadian government has announced the removal of more than half of its federal exceptions from the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA). This decision, spearheaded by Internal Trade Minister Anita Anand, aims to reduce internal trade barriers and enhance economic cooperation across provinces.

The CFTA, established in 2017, was designed to modernize the Agreement on Internal Trade and facilitate the free movement of goods, services, and labor within Canada. However, numerous exceptions have hindered its effectiveness. The federal government initially had 56 exceptions, but with the recent removal of 20 more, the total now stands at 19.

The majority of the removed exceptions pertain to government procurement, providing Canadian businesses with greater opportunities to compete nationwide. This action is expected to lower prices, boost productivity, and add up to $200 billion to the domestic economy.

Minister Anand emphasized the importance of mutual recognition of rules across provinces to streamline labor mobility and reduce regulatory burdens. The federal government is encouraging provinces and territories to follow suit and eliminate their own trade barriers.

This announcement comes at a critical time, as Canada faces potential trade disruptions from the United States. By strengthening internal trade, Canada aims to become less reliant on its southern neighbor and build a more resilient domestic economy.

The Committee on Internal Trade will review the federal changes and continue working with provinces to improve internal trade. More announcements are expected in the coming weeks as Canada strives to create a more open and efficient domestic market.



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