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What to Do with Your Tax Refund: 5 Smart Moves for Canadians

  Tax Season · Personal Finance By MoneySavings.ca Editorial Team • May 7, 2026 • 7 min read Tax season is wrapping up across Canada, and for millions of Canadians, that means a refund cheque — or a direct deposit — is on its way. The average Canadian tax refund hovers around $1,800. That's real money. The question is: what's the smartest thing you can do with it? It's tempting to treat a tax refund like "found money" and splurge. But here's the truth — that refund was your money all along. The government was just holding it for you, interest-free. So before it quietly disappears into day-to-day spending, let's look at five moves that will make it work harder for you. $1,800 The average Canadian tax refund — enough to make a meaningful dent in debt, pad an emergency fund, or kick-start your TFSA for the year. 1 Pay Down High-Interest Debt First If you're carrying a balance on a credit card, this should be your very first call. Most Canadian credit car...

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Trade Tensions Take Toll: Canada Loses 33,000 Jobs in March

 

Canada's labour market faced a significant setback in March, shedding 33,000 jobs—the largest monthly decline since January 2022. This drop pushed the unemployment rate up to 6.7%, a slight increase from February's 6.6%.

The job losses were primarily concentrated in full-time positions, with 62,000 roles eliminated. Sectors such as wholesale and retail trade, as well as information, culture, and recreation, bore the brunt of the decline. However, some gains were observed in part-time employment and industries like utilities and personal services.

Economists attribute this downturn to the escalating trade war with the United States, which has introduced tariffs on Canadian exports, including steel and aluminum. These measures have created uncertainty for businesses, leading to layoffs and a cautious approach to hiring.

As Canada navigates these economic headwinds, policymakers and businesses alike face the challenge of mitigating the impact of trade tensions on the labour market. The coming months will be critical in determining the broader implications of these developments on the nation's economy.

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