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Macklem Just Raised the Inflation Alarm: What Monday’s CPI Means for Your Wallet

  Canadian Money Brief  |  Sunday, October 18, 2026  |  Written ahead of Monday’s 8:30 am ET inflation release Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem has just told Canadians what the central bank is about to say on October 28: its inflation forecast is going up, and by a lot. The reason is oil. With the Middle East conflict dragging on, shipments still curtailed and refinery capacity damaged, he said the risk that inflation broadens and lingers has gone up. Speaking to reporters from Bangkok on Saturday, he framed the coming decision as a simple question: will inflation drift back toward 2% on its own, or does the Bank need to raise rates to nudge it there? Monday is the first real clue. Here is what is landing, what economists expect, and what it could mean for your gas bill, your grocery cart, your heating costs and your mortgage. 3.0% August CPI, year over year 3.2% September consensus (Reuters poll) 2.25% BoC policy rate, unchanged for nearly a year Oct 28 Rat...

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Trump's Tariff Tango: A Chaotic Dance of Trade Policies

The Trump administration's tariff plans have left many scratching their heads. With a schedule that seems to shift as often as the wind, businesses and governments alike are struggling to keep up. The latest development involves a 25% tariff on Canadian goods, set to take effect on March 4. This move, according to President Trump, is aimed at combating the flow of fentanyl into the United States, despite evidence suggesting that Canada is not a significant source of the drug.

Adding to the confusion, Trump has also announced reciprocal tariffs on all trading partners, scheduled for April 2. These overlapping deadlines and mixed messages have created uncertainty in international trade, a hallmark of Trump's policy approach.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has vowed to retaliate with tariffs on American goods if these measures proceed. Meanwhile, businesses on both sides of the border are bracing for economic turbulence.

The ever-changing nature of these tariffs underscores the unpredictability of the current trade landscape. As deadlines loom, the world watches to see how this high-stakes game of economic brinkmanship will unfold.

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