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The Loonie Just Hit an 8-Week High — Here's What a Stronger Dollar Means for You

  August 11, 2026 Three weeks ago, we told you the Canadian dollar had crashed to a 14-month low . This week, it's doing the opposite: the loonie just touched its strongest level since June, and it's not a small bounce. If you shop online, travel south, or hold US stocks in your RRSP or TFSA, this move actually moves your numbers. What actually happened The Canadian dollar strengthened to about 1.393–1.394 per US dollar — roughly 71.7 to 71.8 US cents — its best level in eight weeks, according to Reuters and TradingEconomics data. That's a meaningful move: the loonie has gained close to 2% against the greenback since hitting 1.4248 on July 25, and it's up about 1.6% over the past month alone. THE TURNAROUND, IN THREE NUMBERS July 25 (14-month low) 1.4248 USD/CAD Today (8-week high) ~1.394 USD/CAD Move since July 25 Loonie up ~2.2% Two things are driving it. First, Friday's July jobs report blew past every forecast — the Canadian economy added 75,100 jobs against ...

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Ontario’s First Measles Death in Decades: A Grim Reminder for Unvaccinated Children

 

In a tragic turn of events, Ontario has reported its first measles-related death in decades. The victim was a child under the age of five from Hamilton, Ontario. Public Health Ontario (PHO) confirmed that the child was unvaccinated and had fallen seriously ill, ultimately succumbing to the disease.

The Alarming Situation

Measles, once considered a disease of the past, has made a concerning resurgence. Here are some key points:

  1. Unvaccinated Children at Risk: The child who tragically lost their life was one of five unvaccinated kids who fell ill this year. These cases highlight the vulnerability of unvaccinated children, especially when vaccination rates drop.

  2. Measles Cases on the Rise: In 2024, Ontario has already documented 22 cases of measles, nearly a quarter of the roughly 100 cases reported in the entire previous decade. This year’s death marks the province’s first fatal case since 1989.

  3. Global Immunization Challenges: Immunization rates against infectious diseases have declined globally, including in Canada. The pandemic disrupted vaccination programs, leading to missed doses. For example, the proportion of seven-year-olds in Ontario with zero vaccine doses rose significantly between 2019-2020 and 2022-2023.

The Importance of Vaccination

Measles is highly contagious and can lead to severe complications, including pneumonia, brain swelling, blindness, and respiratory failure. Children are supposed to receive two doses of the measles vaccine, with the first administered at 12 months of age. Unvaccinated children, especially those under five, remain at heightened risk.

A Call to Action

This tragic loss underscores the critical importance of vaccination. As a community, we must prioritize immunization to protect our children and prevent further outbreaks. Let us learn from this devastating event and work together to ensure a safer future for all.

Remember: Vaccines save lives. Let’s protect our children and each other.


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