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5 Things to Know Today — September 27, 2026

  Sunday, September 27, 2026  |  MoneySavings.ca A milestone in the Canada-US trade war hits at midnight, the Bank of Canada's rate decision is now a near-coin-flip, and Canada's economic pivot to China is showing real results. Here are the five things that matter for your wallet today. 01 OF 05 The US Alcohol Import Ban Takes Effect Tonight at Midnight At 12:01 a.m. Eastern tonight, the United States stops accepting new shipments of packaged Canadian beer, wine, cider, and spirits. The ban was signed by President Trump on September 8 under Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930, escalating the trade dispute beyond the 50% tariffs that took effect on August 22. Everything already on US store shelves stays there and can still be sold — the ban stops restocking, not consumption. Goods imported before tonight but not yet cleared through customs remain subject to the 50% duty rather than the ban. Bulk spirits shipped in containers over four litres are exempt; consumer-sized bo...

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IRS to Lay Off 6,700 Employees Amid Tax Season

The U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is set to lay off approximately 6,700 employees this Thursday, according to a source familiar with the matter. This significant reduction in workforce comes as part of a broader federal government directive aimed at reducing bureaucracy, spearheaded by President Donald Trump and Elon Musk.

The employees affected by the layoffs are primarily probationary workers who have been with the agency for less than one to two years. These workers typically have fewer job protections compared to their longer-term counterparts. The IRS has a total of roughly 17,000 probationary employees.

The timing of these layoffs is particularly challenging, as it coincides with the critical tax-filing season. The IRS remains busy processing returns and refunds for taxpayers well beyond the April 15 filing deadline. Concerns have been raised about the potential strain on the agency's resources and its ability to manage the substantial workload during this period.

Despite the layoffs, around 6,600 probationary IRS employees will be retained to work through the tax-filing season. The IRS has taken a more measured approach compared to other federal agencies, ensuring that essential operations continue during this crucial time.

The broader federal workforce reduction directive has impacted various agencies, with the Office of Personnel Management overseeing the dismissal of probationary employees across the government. The IRS's approach highlights the delicate balance between reducing bureaucracy and maintaining essential services for taxpayers.


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