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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...

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Trump Reiterates 100% Tariffs Threat to Dissuade BRICS Nations from Replacing U.S. Dollar

In a recent statement on Truth Social, President Donald Trump renewed his threat to impose 100% tariffs on BRICS nations if they attempt to replace the U.S. dollar as the global reserve currency. The BRICS alliance, which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, along with newer members such as Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates, has been exploring alternatives to the U.S. dollar in international trade.

Trump's warning comes amid growing frustration among BRICS nations over America's control of the global financial system. He demanded a firm commitment from these countries to cease any attempts to create a new currency or back existing currencies in competition with the U.S. dollar. Failure to comply, he warned, would result in severe consequences, including the imposition of 100% tariffs on goods imported from these countries and the end of their access to the U.S. market.

The U.S. dollar remains the dominant currency in global trade, but members of the BRICS alliance argue that America's control over the financial system is increasingly problematic. Russian President Vladimir Putin has accused the U.S. of "weaponizing" the dollar and has expressed the need for alternatives. The BRICS alliance, established in 2009, aims to challenge the world order dominated by the United States and its Western allies.

Trump's renewed threat underscores the ongoing tensions between the U.S. and the BRICS nations as they seek to assert their economic independence and reduce reliance on the U.S. dollar.


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