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5 Things to Know Today: BoC Hike Odds Near 80%, Oil Tops US$100, Loonie Hits 5-Week High

  Canadian Money Brief  |  Saturday, October 24, 2026 The Bank of Canada is expected to raise rates on Wednesday, oil is back above US$100 and stocks slipped on AI worries. Here are the five things to know this Saturday, and what each one means for your wallet. 1 The Bank of Canada is widely expected to hike on Wednesday Markets are putting roughly an 80% chance on a quarter-point increase at the Bank of Canada’s Oct. 28 decision, which would lift the policy rate from 2.25% to 2.50%. A majority of economists polled by Reuters also expect a second hike by the end of March. The shift followed hawkish comments from Governor Tiff Macklem about a higher inflation outlook driven by oil. What it means for you Every 0.25-point increase adds about $250 a year (roughly $21 a month) for each $100,000 of prime-linked debt, such as a variable-rate mortgage or HELOC. Fixed-rate holders are not hit directly, but renewals are being priced off higher bond yields. Savers may see HISA and...

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Humanitarian Crisis Deepens in Gaza Amid Escalating Conflict

In a tragic escalation of violence, an Israeli airstrike in Gaza has claimed the lives of at least 23 people, including a family of 10. The victims, five children, four women, and a man, were killed in Khan Younis, a southern city in Gaza. The United Nations has raised alarms over the worsening humanitarian crisis, as a six-week blockade has left over two million residents struggling to access basic necessities like food and water.

The blockade has severely disrupted food supplies, forcing most of Gaza's population to rely on charity kitchens for their daily meals. The World Food Program reports that 80% of the population depends on humanitarian aid, with many now surviving on just one meal a day. Water scarcity has also reached critical levels, with residents queuing for hours to collect minimal amounts from trucks.

Israeli officials have stated that the blockade and airstrikes are part of their strategy to pressure Hamas, which they accuse of operating within residential areas and misusing aid. However, the impact on civilians has drawn widespread concern from international organizations, highlighting the urgent need for a resolution to the conflict.

The situation in Gaza underscores the devastating human cost of prolonged hostilities, with families and communities bearing the brunt of the violence and deprivation.

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