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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 ...

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Ottawa Prioritizes Canadian Steel and Aluminum in Federal Grants


In a significant move to bolster domestic industries, the Canadian government has mandated that all federal grant recipients prioritize the use of Canadian steel and aluminum in their projects. This directive, announced by Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne, is part of Ottawa's broader strategy to support local manufacturing and counter external trade pressures.

The decision comes amidst ongoing challenges in the global trade landscape, including tariffs imposed by the United States on Canadian steel and aluminum. By emphasizing the use of homegrown materials, the government aims to safeguard jobs, strengthen the national economy, and ensure the sustainability of critical industries.

Minister Champagne highlighted the importance of Canadian steel and aluminum in supporting key sectors such as defense, automotive, and infrastructure. He emphasized that this initiative not only protects Canadian workers but also reinforces the country's commitment to a resilient and self-reliant economy.

This policy shift is expected to have a ripple effect across various industries, encouraging innovation and investment in Canadian manufacturing. It also underscores the government's dedication to fostering a competitive and sustainable industrial base in the face of global challenges.

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