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

Canada Post Strike Threatens to Derail Critical Holiday Season for Retailers

 

As the holiday season approaches, a strike by over 55,000 Canada Post workers threatens to disrupt deliveries across the country. The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) initiated the strike after failed negotiations with the Crown corporation over wages, working conditions, and other issues.

The timing couldn't be worse for retailers, who rely heavily on timely deliveries during this peak shopping period. With mail and parcels not being processed or delivered, businesses are scrambling to find alternative shipping solutions. Rural and remote communities, which depend solely on Canada Post, are expected to be hit the hardest.

While the strike has caused significant concern, Canada Post has assured that government benefit cheques, such as Old Age Security and the Canada Child Benefit, will still be delivered during the strike. However, the overall impact on retailers and consumers remains uncertain, and the situation is being closely monitored as the holiday season kicks into full gear.

Comments