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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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Senate Republicans Advance Trump's Tax Cut Agenda Amidst Controversy


In a significant political move, U.S. Senate Republicans have passed a budget blueprint aimed at extending President Donald Trump's 2017 tax cuts. The measure, approved after an intense late-night session, allows Republicans to bypass the Senate's filibuster and proceed with tax, border security, and military priorities without Democratic support.

The blueprint proposes making the 2017 tax cuts permanent, which reduced the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%. However, the individual tax cuts, set to expire this year, are also included in the plan. Critics argue that the measure could add $5.7 trillion to the federal debt over the next decade, though Republicans estimate the cost at $1.5 trillion.

Democrats have voiced strong opposition, warning that the plan could jeopardize Medicaid and other essential programs. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer criticized the move as favoring the wealthy at the expense of middle-class Americans.

The measure now heads to the Republican-led House of Representatives for further debate. Its passage marks a pivotal step in advancing Trump's economic agenda, though it faces significant scrutiny and potential hurdles in the coming weeks.

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