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What to Do with Your Tax Refund: 5 Smart Moves for Canadians

  Tax Season · Personal Finance By MoneySavings.ca Editorial Team • May 7, 2026 • 7 min read Tax season is wrapping up across Canada, and for millions of Canadians, that means a refund cheque — or a direct deposit — is on its way. The average Canadian tax refund hovers around $1,800. That's real money. The question is: what's the smartest thing you can do with it? It's tempting to treat a tax refund like "found money" and splurge. But here's the truth — that refund was your money all along. The government was just holding it for you, interest-free. So before it quietly disappears into day-to-day spending, let's look at five moves that will make it work harder for you. $1,800 The average Canadian tax refund — enough to make a meaningful dent in debt, pad an emergency fund, or kick-start your TFSA for the year. 1 Pay Down High-Interest Debt First If you're carrying a balance on a credit card, this should be your very first call. Most Canadian credit car...

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Alberta Premier Smith Faces Boos Over Ottawa Energy Deal at UCP Convention

                                            Alberta Premier Danielle Smith

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith encountered a wave of disapproval from her own party members during the United Conservative Party’s annual convention in Edmonton. The backlash came after Smith highlighted her government’s recent energy deal with Ottawa, a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at advancing pipeline development to the West Coast.

While Smith described the accord as a “clear win” for Alberta, delegates were far less enthusiastic. When she asked whether members felt more confident in Canada following the agreement, the crowd responded with boos. The reaction underscored deep divisions within the party, particularly among separatist-leaning members who view any collaboration with Ottawa as a betrayal of Alberta’s autonomy.

The deal, signed earlier this week with Prime Minister Mark Carney, promises to streamline regulatory hurdles and potentially ease restrictions such as the coastal tanker ban. However, critics within the UCP argue that Alberta conceded too much, with some calling for outright independence from Canada. Jeffrey Rath, a prominent separatist voice, drew a standing ovation when he declared Alberta had received a “raw deal”.

Smith attempted to reassure delegates by emphasizing the economic benefits of the agreement, but the incident highlighted the growing tension between her leadership and grassroots members skeptical of federal cooperation. As the convention continues, Smith faces the challenge of balancing her government’s pragmatic energy strategy with the ideological demands of her party’s base.


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