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The Gas Tax Holiday Ends in 24 Days — Here's the Real Math on What You'll Save

  Published August 14, 2026 Ottawa's fuel excise tax suspension shuts off September 7. Here's what it's actually been worth at the pump, what changes the next morning, and who should plan a fill-up before Labour Day. The Countdown The federal fuel excise tax returns to full rate on September 8, 2026 — that's 24 days from today. Prices reset to their pre-April 20 rate the moment the clock hits midnight. If you've noticed gas feeling a little less painful since spring, that wasn't your imagination. On April 20, 2026, Ottawa suspended the federal fuel excise tax — 10 cents a litre off gasoline, 4 cents off diesel — as Middle East oil-supply disruptions pushed pump prices toward $2 a litre in some cities. The suspension, passed as part of Bill C-30, has been running for nearly four months. It ends September 7, inclusive. On September 8, the tax comes right back. What the holiday actually saved you The headline number — 10 cents a litre on gas — undersells it sligh...

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Wall Street Scrambles as Trump’s Visa Fee Shakes Hiring Plans

People walk around the Financial District near the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York, U.S., December 29, 2023.

The Trump administration’s surprise overhaul of the H-1B visa program has sent shockwaves through Wall Street, with JPMorgan Chase and other major financial institutions weighing how to respond. The new policy imposes a $100,000 fee on each new H-1B visa application, a move officials say is designed to prioritize higher-paid, highly skilled workers and open more opportunities for U.S. talent.

For banks, however, the impact could be severe. JPMorgan alone secured 2,440 H-1B visas in 2025, more than any other U.S. financial firm. Many of these employees fill critical roles in quantitative modeling, risk management, and technology development—areas where domestic talent is often scarce.

Analysts warn that the steep fee could make hiring entry-level analysts or tech workers prohibitively expensive, forcing banks to consider shifting more operations offshore. “Hiring for entry-level jobs using H-1B becomes nearly impossible,” said Meridith Dennes of Prospect Rock Partners.

JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon admitted the announcement “caught everyone off guard” and signaled that the bank will engage policymakers on the issue. Other Wall Street firms have so far declined to comment, but industry insiders expect a coordinated pushback in the weeks ahead.

The policy has also raised concerns abroad, particularly in India, whose nationals account for the majority of H-1B recipients. Some experts suggest Canada and other jurisdictions could benefit if global talent looks elsewhere for opportunities.

As the financial sector recalibrates, the visa crackdown underscores the delicate balance between immigration policy and America’s competitiveness in global finance.



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