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BoC Holds at 2.25%: What the Rate Decision (and Rising Gas Prices) Mean for Your Wallet

  Thursday, July 16, 2026 Sixth consecutive hold. A weaker 2026 growth forecast. And inflation that's running hotter because of gas prices, not the usual suspects. Here's what actually changes for you. The Bank of Canada held its overnight rate at 2.25% on Wednesday, exactly as markets expected. No surprise there. What's more interesting is why it held, and what it revealed about where the economy — and your bills — are headed next. This was the sixth straight hold since the Bank finished its easing cycle back in October. But buried in the accompanying Monetary Policy Report were a few numbers worth your attention. The Numbers That Matter Overnight Rate 2.25% (unchanged) Prime Rate (typical) 4.45% 2026 GDP Growth Forecast 0.7% (cut from 1.2%) 2027 / 2028 Growth Forecast 1.8% each year May CPI Inflation 3.2% Inflation Excluding Gasoline 2.2% Unemployment Rate (June) 6.5% Next Rate Decision September 2, 2026 Why Gas Prices Are Driving This Decision Here's the twist in th...

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A Comprehensive Approach to Addressing the US Debt Problem

 

The US debt problem is a complex issue that requires a multi-faceted approach to solve. While closing the $688 billion tax gap is a step in the right direction, it is not a panacea for the US debt problem. According to a recent article by AOL, even if the IRS achieves a 100% collectible rate and closes the estimated $688 billion tax gap, that won’t be enough to meaningfully shrink the US debt gap. The article suggests that the US government needs to focus on other areas such as reducing spending, increasing revenue, and improving economic growth.

The US debt problem is a critical issue that requires immediate attention. The current debt-to-GDP ratio indicates that current policy under this report’s assumptions is unsustainable. If lawmakers fail to take action soon, the report projects that the federal debt could “exceed 200 percent [of GDP] by 2046 and reach 566 percent by 2097”. To stabilize the federal debt at current levels, the Financial Report estimates that the government will have to run “primary surpluses” equal to 0.6 percent of GDP, 4.9 percentage points higher than current projections, between 2023 and 2097 .

Therefore, it is imperative that the US government takes a comprehensive approach to address the debt problem. The government should focus on reducing spending, increasing revenue, and improving economic growth. A balanced approach that includes a combination of these measures is necessary to address the US debt problem.

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