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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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EU Pressures Ukraine to Safeguard Anti-Corruption Institutions Amid Controversial Reforms

EU Calls for Integrity in Ukraine’s Anti-Corruption Framework

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to uphold the independence of Ukraine’s anti-corruption institutions, warning that their autonomy is essential for the country’s EU membership aspirations.

The appeal follows the passage of a controversial law by Ukraine’s parliament that places the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) under the authority of the prosecutor general—a position appointed by the president. Critics argue this move undermines the agencies’ independence and could allow political interference in corruption investigations.

Thousands of Ukrainians have taken to the streets in protest, marking the largest public demonstrations since the war began. Protesters and civil society groups fear the law could dismantle years of progress made since the 2014 EuroMaidan Revolution, which led to the creation of these bodies to combat high-level corruption.

Von der Leyen emphasized that “independent anti-corruption bodies are cornerstones of Ukraine’s rule of law” and reiterated that EU support remains contingent on Ukraine’s commitment to transparency and judicial reform. Other European leaders, including those from Germany, Sweden, and the Czech Republic, echoed these concerns, warning that weakening anti-corruption institutions could jeopardize Ukraine’s EU accession path.

In response to mounting pressure, Zelenskyy has pledged to submit a new bill aimed at preserving the independence of these agencies. The EU welcomed this move but continues to monitor developments closely, stressing that institutional integrity must be maintained for Ukraine to progress toward EU membership.


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