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Why Interest Rates Matter for Canadians

Interest rates are the single most powerful lever in Canada's economy.  When the Bank of Canada adjusts its policy rate, the effects reach every household—from the cost of carrying a mortgage to the return on a savings account. With rates currently at 2.25% and significant uncertainty ahead, understanding how rates work has never been more important for your finances. What Is the Bank of Canada's Policy Rate? The Bank of Canada sets the overnight policy rate—the interest rate at which major banks lend money to each other. This rate serves as a benchmark that influences borrowing and lending costs across the entire economy. When the Bank raises or lowers this rate, commercial banks adjust their prime rates accordingly, which directly affects the rates you pay on mortgages, lines of credit, and other loans. The Bank's primary goal is to keep inflation near its 2% target. When inflation runs too hot, the Bank raises rates to cool spending. When the economy slows, it cuts rates...

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Greek Workers Unite in Nationwide Strike for Wage Reform

On April 9, 2025, Greece witnessed a nationwide strike that brought the country to a standstill. Public and private sector workers staged a 24-hour walkout, demanding higher wages and the reinstatement of collective bargaining rights. The strike disrupted essential services, grounding flights, halting trains, and tying up ferries at ports. Public transport in Athens operated only part-time, while thousands of protesters gathered in the capital and other cities to voice their demands.

The strike comes amid rising living costs, with food, housing, and utilities becoming increasingly unaffordable for many households. Despite a cumulative 35% increase in the minimum wage to €880, workers argue that their purchasing power remains insufficient. Labour unions are calling for immediate pay raises and the restoration of annual bonuses that were scrapped during Greece's financial crisis.

This collective action highlights the growing frustration among workers as they struggle to make ends meet in the face of economic challenges. The government has promised further wage increases but cites fiscal constraints as a barrier to meeting all demands.


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