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Monday’s CPI Could Decide Your Next Mortgage Payment

  Canada lost 68,000 jobs in September. Inflation is sitting at 3%. The Bank of Canada has to decide on October 28 which of those facts matters more, and on Monday morning one more number lands to help it choose. If you carry a variable-rate mortgage, a HELOC or a renewal this winter, that number has a price tag. Two reports pulling in opposite directions The jobs data came first. Statistics Canada reported on October 9 that employment fell by 68,000 in September, pushing the unemployment rate to 6.5% from 6.4%. It followed a drop of about 42,000 in August, which means more than half of the 181,000 jobs gained between April and July have now been wiped out. Ontario shed 20,000 positions on its own. Markets reacted within hours: the odds of a quarter-point Bank of Canada hike on October 28 dropped to roughly 25% from about 40%, according to LSEG data reported by Reuters. Inflation is telling the opposite story. The consumer price index rose 3.0% year over year in August, matching Ju...

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Trump's Tariffs on Canadian and Mexican Imports Set for March 4

In a significant move that could reshape North American trade dynamics, President Donald Trump has announced that tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports will go into effect on March 4. This decision comes after months of negotiations and escalating trade tensions between the United States and its neighbors.

The tariffs, which include a 25% duty on steel and aluminum imports from Canada and Mexico, are part of a broader strategy to protect American industries and reduce the trade deficit. The Trump administration argues that these measures are necessary to revitalize the U.S. manufacturing sector, which has been adversely affected by cheaper foreign materials.

Canada and Mexico have been working to avoid these tariffs by enhancing border security and curbing fentanyl trafficking. Despite these efforts, the Trump administration has decided to proceed with the tariffs, citing the need for more substantial progress.

The implementation of these tariffs could have far-reaching consequences for the North American economy. Industries that rely on cross-border supply chains, such as automotive and energy sectors, may face increased costs and disruptions. Critics argue that the tariffs could lead to higher prices for consumers and potential retaliatory measures from Canada and Mexico.

As the March 4 deadline approaches, businesses and policymakers on both sides of the border are bracing for the impact of these tariffs. The move underscores the Trump administration's commitment to using tariffs as a tool for economic policy and trade negotiations.


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