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The Fed Just Hiked Rates. Here's What It Means for Your Canadian Mortgage.

  The U.S. Federal Reserve raised its benchmark rate 25 basis points yesterday — the first hike in three years. The Bank of Canada hasn't moved. That gap is now the biggest story in Canadian personal finance. MoneySavings.ca  |  September 17, 2026  |  Canadian Money Brief Yesterday afternoon, the Federal Open Market Committee voted 12-0 to raise the U.S. federal funds rate by a quarter point, pushing it to a target range of 3.75%–4.00%. It's the Fed's first rate hike since July 2023, and Chair Kevin Warsh made clear it almost certainly won't be the last. The Bank of Canada, by contrast, has held its overnight rate at 2.25% through seven straight meetings. It doesn't decide again until October 28. For Canadians with a mortgage, a renewal coming up, or a home equity line of credit, this matters more than it might look at first glance. 3.75–4.00% New U.S. Fed Rate 2.25% Bank of Canada Rate 1.625% Rate Gap (vs. 1.375% yesterday) ~71.5¢ Loonie (post-hike low) What th...

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Canada Orders Hikvision to Cease Operations Amid National Security Concerns

In a decisive move underscoring growing scrutiny of foreign technology firms, the Canadian government has ordered Chinese surveillance equipment manufacturer Hikvision to shut down its operations in Canada. The decision, announced by Industry Minister Mélanie Joly, follows a national security review conducted under the Investment Canada Act.

The review, informed by intelligence from Canada’s security agencies, concluded that Hikvision’s continued presence posed a threat to national security. As a result, the company must cease all business activities within the country. Additionally, federal departments, agencies, and Crown corporations are now prohibited from purchasing or using Hikvision products. A government-wide audit is also underway to identify and remove any legacy equipment.

Hikvision, headquartered in Hangzhou, China, has faced international criticism for its alleged role in human rights abuses in China’s Xinjiang region. The company has denied these allegations and expressed strong disagreement with Ottawa’s decision, calling it “unjustified” and “lacking in transparency.”

While the order does not extend to Hikvision’s operations outside Canada, Minister Joly encouraged Canadians to consider the government’s findings when making personal technology choices.

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