A Surprise Choice Sparks Political Reactions The Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded this year’s Nobel Peace Prize to Maria Corina Machado of Venezuela, praising her as “a woman who keeps the flame of democracy burning amid a growing darkness.” The decision immediately raised questions about how U.S. President Donald Trump, who has long coveted the prestigious…
Employment Growth Defies Forecasts Canada’s labour market delivered an unexpected boost in September, adding 60,400 jobs, according to Statistics Canada. The unemployment rate held steady at 7.1%, defying economists’ forecasts for a 2,500 job loss and a modest uptick in the jobless rate to 7.2%, based on Bank of Montreal consensus estimates. While the headline…
Canada’s services sector contracted at a faster pace in September, hitting a three-month low, as businesses reduced headcounts and outstanding work dropped to its weakest level in five years, according to S&P Global’s latest services PMI data released on Friday. The headline Business Activity Index slipped to 46.3 in September from 48.6 in August —…
The U.S. government has officially shut down after lawmakers failed to reach a funding deal, and Washington is preparing for what could be a long standoff. Why the Shutdown Happened Republicans supported a temporary funding bill to keep the government running until November 21. But Democrats blocked it, demanding it include funding to reverse Medicaid…
Global investors are growing uneasy as the U.S. government enters another shutdown, with no funding deal reached by Congress. While markets have typically shrugged off past shutdowns, this one feels different — potentially longer and more damaging, especially with President Trump’s push for mass firings instead of temporary furloughs. Such job losses could raise unemployment…
The U.S. government officially shut down after President Donald Trump and Congress failed to reach a funding deal by the Wednesday night deadline. This marks the third shutdown under Trump, highlighting deep divisions between Republicans and Democrats. About 750,000 federal workers are being furloughed, with some at risk of losing their jobs permanently. Key government…
Shutdown Looms Amid Political Standoff Without a last-minute agreement, parts of the U.S. government are expected to shut down on October 1. With government funding bills requiring 60 votes in the Senate, and Republicans holding just 53 seats, bipartisan support is essential to avoid a shutdown. However, a tense political environment and tight timeline have…
Prime Minister Mark Carney is defending his series of international visits, stating they are essential for opening new markets and attracting foreign investment to support Canada’s long-term economic goals. During a four-day visit to London, Carney met with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer to follow up on economic and security agreements reached during Starmer’s June…
Canada’s Business Landscape: Fresh Momentum and Forward Thinking Canada’s business ecosystem has entered the fall of 2025 with a clear sense of momentum and renewed ambition. With swift policy actions, collaborative ventures, and an eye on global markets, Canadian businesses are showing remarkable agility in a rapidly changing environment. Here’s an insider’s look at the…
Canadian investors planning for long-term wealth often turn to dividend-paying stocks — and with good reason. Blue-chip companies that consistently distribute dividends and buy back shares can offer a powerful combination of income and capital growth over time. However, it’s easy to get distracted by high dividend yields and overlook companies with lower payouts but…
The Bank of Canada (BoC) lowered its benchmark interest rate by 0.25% on Wednesday, bringing it down to 2.5%. This move reflects a cautious approach as recent economic indicators — including a second-quarter contraction and a weakening job market — point to broader economic softness. According to Reuters, economists expect at least one more rate…
Alberta Finance Minister Nate Horner announced Thursday that the province’s projected deficit for this fiscal year has grown by $1.3 billion, bringing the total shortfall to $6.5 billion. This marks a dramatic financial reversal for Alberta, which posted an $8.3-billion surplus just one year ago. “We’re going to have to weather some of this,” Horner…
Retail sales in Canada fell by 0.8% to $69.6 billion in July, as consumers spent less at supermarkets and grocery stores, according to Statistics Canada. The decline came despite a modest 0.2% increase in sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers — the only retail subsector to see growth that month. Eight out of nine…
After several years of choppy performance, Canadian bank stocks are finally enjoying a strong recovery in 2025 — and two standout names have delivered exceptional returns. While the past few years were marked by volatility and muted price appreciation, patient investors who bought during the downturn between 2022 and 2024 are now sitting on solid…
Alcoa Corp., the iconic U.S. metals producer, is feeling the strain of former President Donald Trump’s aluminum tariffs and has halted all its growth projects in Canada as a result, as highlighted by Bloomberg. CEO Bill Oplinger warned that if the tariffs remain in place, the company may need to seek support from the Canadian…
