Skip to main content

Featured

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...

article

Canadian Unemployment Rate Falls to 6.5% as Job Market Surges

 

In a surprising turn of events, Canada’s labour market exceeded expectations in September, adding a net 47,000 jobs. This surge in employment led to a drop in the unemployment rate to 6.5%, according to the latest data from Statistics Canada.

This marks the first decline in the unemployment rate since January, driven primarily by significant gains in full-time employment, particularly among youth and women aged 25 to 54. The robust job growth highlights the resilience of the Canadian economy amidst global economic uncertainties.

Economists had anticipated a more modest increase in employment, making this development a positive indicator for the country’s economic health. The data suggests that sectors such as healthcare, education, and professional services saw the most significant job additions.

As Canada continues to navigate post-pandemic recovery, these employment gains provide a hopeful outlook for sustained economic growth and stability.


Comments