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France Erupts in Nationwide Protests Over Austerity Plans

  Tens of thousands of demonstrators flooded the streets of France on October 2, 2025, in a powerful show of resistance against proposed government spending cuts. Organized by major trade unions including the CGT and CFDT, protests took place in over 240 cities and towns, with Paris, Dijon, Metz, Poitiers, and Montpellier among the key hotspots. The unrest comes amid political uncertainty, as newly appointed Prime Minister SĂ©bastien Lecornu works to form a cabinet and navigate contentious budget negotiations. Protesters are demanding increased investment in public services, a reversal of pension reforms, and higher taxes on the wealthy. The proposed 2026 budget, which includes a €44 billion reduction in public spending, has sparked widespread concern over its impact on low- and middle-income households. While the CGT union estimated turnout at nearly 600,000, the Interior Ministry reported a lower figure of 195,000, including 24,000 in Paris. Students blocked school entrances, a...

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Five Provinces Raise Minimum Wage as Cost of Living Pressures Mount

 

                                    The Alberta minimum wage of $15 an hour is now the lowest among Canadian provinces.


In a move aimed at easing affordability challenges, five Canadian provinces officially increased their minimum wage on October 1, 2025. The adjustments, tied to inflation and the consumer price index, affect Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island.

  • Ontario: $17.60 per hour
  • Nova Scotia & Prince Edward Island: $16.50 per hour
  • Manitoba: $16.00 per hour
  • Saskatchewan: $15.35 per hour

These increases are expected to provide full-time workers with hundreds to over a thousand dollars more annually, depending on hours worked.

Meanwhile, Alberta now holds the lowest minimum wage in the country at $15.00 per hour, unchanged since 2018. Once the highest in Canada, Alberta’s rate has fallen behind as other provinces continue to implement annual increases.

Earlier this year, British Columbia, Quebec, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland and Labrador also raised their minimum wages, reflecting a nationwide trend to align pay with rising living costs.

The changes are welcomed by many workers struggling with inflation, though some small businesses have expressed concern about higher payroll costs. Still, the increases mark another step in Canada’s ongoing effort to balance affordability for workers with sustainability for employers.


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