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5 Things to Know Today (Oct. 1): Minimum Wage Hike, Cooler U.S. Inflation, Oil Below $100

  Thursday October 1, 2026 A new quarter, a higher minimum wage in Ontario and a softer inflation read south of the border. Here are the five things that matter to your wallet today. 1 Ontario's minimum wage rises to $17.95 today Ontario's general minimum wage climbs 35 cents, from $17.60 to $17.95 an hour, as of October 1 — a roughly 2% bump tied to Ontario's CPI. The student rate goes to $16.90 (from $16.60) and the homeworker rate to $19.70. A full-time worker at 40 hours a week earns about $718 a week before deductions. Federally regulated workers already have an $18.15 floor, which has applied since April 1. What it means for you: If you pay anyone by the hour — a cleaner, a part-time helper, a seasonal worker — hours worked from today forward must be paid at no less than $17.95, even if the pay period started in September. Workers should check their next paycheque. 2 Cooler U.S. inflation eases the pressure on rate hikes The Fed's preferred inflation gauge came i...

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Tiny Homes for the Homeless: A Controversial Solution in Toronto

 

The City of Toronto has requested the removal of tiny shelters for homeless individuals from St. James Park. These shelters, built by the non-profit organization Tiny Tiny Homes, were designed to provide temporary housing for those experiencing homelessness. The city cited safety concerns and interference with public use of the park as reasons for the removal.

Ryan Donais, the founder of Tiny Tiny Homes, started building these shelters to address the growing number of homeless encampments in Ontario. Each tiny home is equipped with a bed, a small kitchen, a solar panel for lights and a fan, and a diesel-fueled heating system. Despite the city's request, Donais and his supporters are advocating for alternative locations for the shelters and have started a petition to garner public support.

The city has acknowledged the good intentions behind the initiative but maintains that the shelters pose safety risks and interfere with city staff's outreach work. As the debate continues, the future of these tiny homes remains uncertain.


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