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CUSMA Not Renewed: What the Trade Deal Impasse Means for Your Wallet

  July 2, 2026 | Trade & Economy The mandatory six-year review of Canada's most important trade agreement came and went this week — and it did not go the way Ottawa hoped. On July 1, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer confirmed that the United States will not renew the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) in its current form, sending the deal into a more uncertain, year-by-year footing right as Canadians are already navigating tariffs, a soft labour market, and a technical recession. Here is what actually happened, why it matters, and what it could mean for your budget in the months ahead. The short version CUSMA isn't dead. It remains legally in force until 2036. But instead of locking in a fresh 16-year term, the deal now shifts into annual reviews, with existing tariffs on steel, aluminum, autos and softwood lumber unresolved for now. What happened on July 1 CUSMA was built with a mandatory joint review every six years. If Canada, the U.S. and Mexico had a...
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Canada’s Federal Minimum Wage Increases: What You Should Know

 

Canada’s federal minimum wage has taken a significant leap today, rising from $16.65 to $17.30 per hour. This adjustment reflects the 3.9% increase in Canada’s annual average Consumer Price Index for 2023 and is aligned with inflation.

For many Canadian workers, this wage hike is a welcome change. It means that approximately 30,000 employees in the federally regulated private sector will benefit from this raise. Whether you’re working part-time, temporarily, or in a low-wage job, this increase aims to provide a real and fair chance at success.

Employers must adjust their payroll information accordingly to ensure that all employees, including interns, receive the correct hourly wage starting today. If the provincial or territorial minimum wage rate exceeds the federal rate, employers must pay the higher of the two. So, businesses across Canada need to stay informed and comply with these new wage standards.

While some may argue that it’s not enough, this increase is a step toward creating a more equitable workforce. The Government of Canada is committed to ensuring that federally regulated workplaces are fair, inclusive, and safe. Initiatives like the Pay Equity Act, job protections for gig workers, and reporting salary data contribute to this ongoing effort.

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