Skip to main content

Featured

5 Things to Know Today: Canada Enters Recession, Oil Slips on Iran Ceasefire Talk

Saturday, May 30, 2026 — Your quick-hit Canadian financial briefing for the day. 1.Canada Officially Meets the Definition of a Technical Recession Statistics Canada confirmed Friday that real GDP contracted 0.1% on an annualized basis in Q1 2026 — following a revised 1.0% drop in Q4 2025 . That's two straight quarters of negative growth, which meets the technical definition of a recession. The miss was a big one: economists had forecast growth of 1.5% . The main culprits were a surge in imports (up 2.9%, largely gold), declining business capital investment (down 0.7% — its fifth consecutive quarterly drop ), and weakness in resource extraction and construction. On a per-capita basis, GDP actually edged up 0.2% as Canada's population shrank for the second quarter in a row. Not everyone is ready to call it a full recession: some economists note that three of the four weak months were isolated, and early April data points to a sharp 0.4% rebound . Still, the numbers ...

article

Ontario Premier Ford's Bold Stance Amid U.S. Tariff Tensions

Ontario Premier Doug Ford has issued a strong warning in response to the United States' decision to impose sweeping tariffs on Canadian goods. Speaking at a mining convention in Toronto, Ford threatened to cut off electricity exports to U.S. states like New York, Michigan, and Minnesota if the tariffs proceed. Ontario is a significant electricity supplier to these regions, and Ford emphasized the potential impact of such a move, stating, "They rely on our energy. They need to feel the pain".

The tariffs, announced by U.S. President Donald Trump, include a 25% levy on Canadian goods and a 10% tariff on energy exports. In retaliation, Ford has also proposed additional measures, such as implementing surcharges on energy exports and urging Ontarians to prioritize locally made products. The Premier's remarks come as Canada braces for the economic fallout, with federal and provincial governments preparing coordinated responses to protect industries and workers.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced retaliatory tariffs targeting billions of dollars in U.S. exports, signaling Canada's firm stance against the trade measures. As tensions escalate, the situation underscores the interconnectedness of the two nations' economies and the potential consequences of a trade war.

Comments