A U.S. federal judge has upheld the Trump administration’s policy requiring a $100,000 fee on new H-1B work-visa applications, allowing the controversial immigration cost to move forward despite legal challenges from business groups and several states. The decision affirms that the administration can impose the substantial charge on certain foreign workers and employers as part…
Ontario’s minister responsible for economic development, trade and job creation has announced a clear shift in focus for 2026, centering on defence-related investment and industrial expansion as a core strategy for maintaining economic momentum amid ongoing global trade uncertainty. Over the past year, the minister — Vic Fedeli — traveled to around 20 countries in…
Canada is entering a critical phase of trade negotiations with the United States ahead of a scheduled review of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) in early 2026, and voices from labour and industry are urging the federal government to remain firm rather than rush into a deal that could undermine Canadian interests. Unifor national president Lana…
Bitcoin’s price action has slowed and failed to sustain gains near major psychological levels, even as broader financial markets show signs of strength, leaving the cryptocurrency stuck around the $87,000 area and “missing out” on bullish sentiment that has lifted other assets. Recent trading data show that BTC–USD has been unable to break decisively higher,…
Bank of America analyst Vivek Arya expects global semiconductor sales to break past $1 trillion in 2026, driven largely by accelerating demand for artificial intelligence infrastructure and data-center hardware. Instead of a fading cycle, BofA sees the current technology transformation as midway through a decade-long trend, with significant growth still ahead as companies invest in…
Some investors are growing concerned that financial markets — particularly in technology and high-growth sectors — may be showing signs of a bubble-like environment, similar in some respects to past market excesses when valuations got stretched far beyond fundamentals. This has led to increasing debate among economists and investment professionals about how to survive a…
Gold prices have surged above the historic $4,500-per-ounce level, driven by a powerful rally in precious metals that has seen both gold and silver hit new record highs amid shifting investor sentiment and macroeconomic forces. Spot gold climbed past this key milestone in late-December trading, extending a remarkable run that has made it one of…
Some investors are choosing to keep large amounts of cash on the sidelines as they head into 2026, believing that hoarding liquidity is a safe haven amid market uncertainty and economic unpredictability. But financial experts warn that a heavy cash position may actually carry significant hidden risks — especially in an environment where inflation, interest…
Canada’s eastern provinces are at a pivotal moment as Newfoundland and Labrador and Quebec work to finalize a major hydroelectric agreement that could reshape regional energy economics and politics for decades. The governments and their crown utilities — Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro and Hydro-Québec — are negotiating terms intended to replace a long-standing 1969 contract…
Altius Minerals Corporation has reached a definitive agreement to acquire all outstanding shares of Lithium Royalty Corp. in a transaction valued at about C$520 million, marking a major expansion of Altius’s footprint in lithium and other battery-metal royalties. The deal, structured as a plan of arrangement, will be paid through a mix of cash and…
Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) have finalized tentative collective agreements for both urban and rural mail carriers, bringing an end to a prolonged period of labour uncertainty and avoiding further strike or lockout action during the upcoming ratification process. These tentative contracts, if approved by union members, would run for…
Bitcoin and other major cryptocurrencies have experienced a highly volatile year in 2025, marked by dramatic price swings, renewed investor interest, and shifting correlations with broader financial markets. After reaching multiple peaks earlier in the year, Bitcoin’s price retreated sharply in several sell-offs, creating a rollercoaster ride for traders and long-term holders alike. While the…
New travel data from Statistics Canada show that the number of trips to Canada by U.S. residents increased in October compared with the same month last year, marking the first rise in inbound travel from the United States in about eight months. This rebound suggests a modest improvement in American visitor interest in Canada, even…
Canada’s prime minister has appointed Mark Wiseman — a seasoned investment executive with a long resume in finance — as the country’s next ambassador to the United States, naming him to start the role in February 2026 as Ottawa confronts important trade and economic challenges with its largest trading partner. Wiseman succeeds the current ambassador,…
Baytex Energy Corp. has unveiled its 2026 capital spending plans, approving a budget in the range of $550 million to $625 million to support exploration, development and infrastructure activities aimed at increasing output and strengthening its operations. The company says this level of investment is designed to generate production growth of roughly 3 per cent…
