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The Fed Decides Wednesday — Here's What It Means for Your Mortgage, the Loonie, and Your RRSP

  Monday, July 27, 2026 The U.S. Federal Reserve hands down its rate decision at 2 p.m. ET on July 29. For most Canadians it will feel like background noise. It isn't — here's the plain-language version of why it touches your mortgage, your cross-border spending, and whatever's sitting in your RRSP. The short version: Markets are pricing roughly a two-in-three chance the Fed holds its rate at 3.50%–3.75% on Wednesday. That's not the story. The story is that this is one of the least certain "sure thing" holds in years — and Chair Kevin Warsh's press conference at 2:30 p.m. ET could matter more than the decision itself. Why this meeting is different The Fed has held its benchmark rate steady at 3.50%–3.75% through every meeting so far in 2026. On paper, Wednesday should be more of the same. Under the hood, it's messier. Persistent inflation, running well above the Fed's 2% target for a fifth straight year, has kept a rate hike on the table. The oil-...
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Israel’s West Bank Expansion: A Diplomatic Tightrope


Israel’s recent approval of 22 new Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank has sparked international concern, further straining its relationships with key allies. The move, announced by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, comes amid growing pressure from countries like Britain, France, and Canada, which have warned of potential sanctions if settlement expansion continues.

The settlements, located in the northern West Bank, include both newly established communities and the legalization of existing outposts. While Israel considers these settlements legal under its own laws, the majority of the international community views them as violations of international law. The expansion has intensified tensions with Palestinian leaders, who see it as a direct obstacle to their aspirations for an independent state.

Palestinian officials have condemned the decision, calling it a “dangerous escalation” that threatens regional stability. Hamas has urged the United States and the European Union to take action against Israel’s settlement policies. Meanwhile, Israeli officials argue that the expansion is necessary for national security and to solidify Israel’s presence in the region.

As settlement activity accelerates, Israel faces increasing diplomatic isolation, with European nations demanding an end to the war in Gaza and a halt to further territorial expansion. The coming months will be crucial in determining whether Israel’s settlement policies will lead to further international backlash or if diplomatic negotiations can ease tensions in the region.

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