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Daily Markets Update: Oil Rattles TSX Ahead of BoC Hike Week | Oct 26

  Canadian Money Brief • Daily Markets Update Monday, October 26, 2026 • Covers Friday’s North American and European closes plus Monday’s Asian session Oil took over from AI as the market’s main worry on Friday. Crude jumped above US$100 on fresh attacks on Saudi Arabia, the S&P/TSX Composite finished the week lower, and Wall Street logged a second straight weekly loss for the S&P 500. Monday brought a small reprieve: oil slipped after no weekend escalation in the Iran war, and most Asian and European markets steadied — just ahead of a week stacked with central bank decisions, including the Bank of Canada on Wednesday. The 30-second version TSX: 35,788.18 , down 185.27 points (−0.52%) Friday; −1.07% on the week. Wall Street: Dow −1.2%, S&P 500 −0.5%, Nasdaq −0.2%. Oil: WTI settled at US$103.27 ; Brent at US$116.72 . Loonie: 71.46¢ US , a five-week high. Bank of Canada: markets price roughly an 80% chance of a hike to 2.50% on Wednesday. Canada: TSX Ends the Week in the...
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Canadian Manufacturers of COVID-19 Protective Equipment Sue Ottawa for $5 Billion in Damages

 

Canadian manufacturers who produce masks and other protective equipment to combat COVID-19 are pursuing legal action against the federal government, seeking more than $5 billion in damages. Their claim alleges that Ottawa misled them regarding the purchase and promotion of their products.

In a statement of claim filed in Federal Court, the companies and their industry association assert that the government made “negligent misrepresentations” that led them to invest in personal protective equipment innovations, manufacturing, and production. These misrepresentations spanned a three-year period starting in March 2020. The companies and the Canadian Association of PPE Manufacturers contend that the government provided misleading information about markets, direct assistance, flexible procurement, and long-term support.

The Canadian government had communicated through an initiative called Canada’s Plan to Mobilize Industry to fight COVID-19 that there would be new measures to directly support businesses in rapidly scaling up production or retooling their manufacturing lines. However, despite identifying masks and respirators as vital items for an airborne pandemic, the government did not contract with the Canadian companies, invoking a national security exception for procurement. Furthermore, in June 2021, the government allegedly promised a 10-year contract with the industry association and businesses to compensate for not purchasing protective equipment from domestic firms.

The companies claim that these misrepresentations resulted in approximately $88 million in investment losses and a further $5.4 billion in projected lost market opportunities over a ten-year period. They emphasize that this promise came from the highest levels of the Canadian government and was propagated across all relevant departments.

As the court case proceeds, the federal government will have an opportunity to respond to these unproven allegations. The manufacturers’ “special relationship” with the government, born out of a duty of care to small- and medium-sized businesses, underscores the significance of this legal battle.

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