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5 Things to Know Today: TSX Recap, Oil Eases, Loonie Under Pressure & Alberta's Pipeline Announcement (July 3, 2026)

  Friday, July 3, 2026 Here's what's moving markets and your money this morning — from Bay Street to the pumps to Ottawa. 1. TSX gains as investors digest a mixed session The S&P/TSX Composite closed up 0.31% on Thursday at 34,966.67 points (+109.68), its first full trading day back after the Canada Day holiday. Financials were mixed — Brookfield edged higher while TD Bank slipped nearly 1% — but mining stocks got a lift as gold prices ticked up, with Barrick and Franco-Nevada both up more than 3%. Shopify was the standout, jumping over 5% after settling a dispute with Shopline. 2. Oil prices ease as Iran-US talks continue in Doha Crude prices pulled back further and are now trading closer to pre-conflict levels after another round of indirect US-Iran talks in Doha, even though the sides didn't reach a breakthrough. That's welcome news for anyone filling up this long weekend, and it's also easing some of the energy-driven inflation pressure that's been compl...

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Sweeping Layoffs Reshape the US Department of Health and Human Services

In a significant restructuring move, the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has initiated mass layoffs, with up to 10,000 employees expected to be affected. Notices of dismissal began circulating on Tuesday, marking the start of a major overhaul aimed at streamlining the department's operations. This reduction follows a series of executive actions, including the revocation of collective bargaining rights for federal health agency workers.

The layoffs span multiple agencies under HHS, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Critics warn that these cuts could undermine the nation's ability to respond to health emergencies and ongoing disease threats. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. defended the move, describing it as a necessary step to improve efficiency and reduce bureaucracy.

The restructuring also includes the creation of a new office, the Administration for a Healthy America, which will consolidate several programs. While the administration argues that these changes will lead to better outcomes with fewer resources, concerns about the potential impact on public health services remain high.

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