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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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Wall Street Stumbles Amid Inflation and Tariff Concerns

                                        

Wall Street faced a sharp downturn as fresh U.S. economic data reignited fears of inflation and tariff impacts. The S&P 500 dropped 1.97%, closing at 5,580.94 points, while the Nasdaq fell 2.70% to 17,322.99 points, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 1.69% to 41,583.90 points.

The latest data revealed weaker-than-expected consumer spending in February, coupled with a significant rise in underlying prices—the highest in 13 months. Additionally, a University of Michigan survey highlighted soaring inflation expectations, reaching their highest levels in over two years.

These developments, combined with escalating tariff measures from the Trump administration, have heightened concerns about the economic outlook. Major tech stocks, including Amazon, Microsoft, and Apple, saw significant losses, reflecting broader market unease.

Market analysts warn that the inflationary effects of tariffs may intensify in the coming months, further complicating the Federal Reserve's monetary policy decisions. As uncertainty looms, businesses and investors are adopting a cautious stance, bracing for potential economic turbulence.

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