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Weekly Market Snapshot: Records Everywhere as a Blowout Canadian Jobs Report Meets a Shock U.S. Loss

  August 8, 2026 A short, holiday-shortened week still managed to deliver record after record. The TSX, the S&P 500, the Nasdaq, and Europe's major indices all closed the week at or near all-time highs — even as Friday's jobs numbers told two very different stories on either side of the border. Here's everything that moved your money this week, and what to watch next. The Bottom Line The TSX capped its biggest weekly advance in about four months, closing Friday at a record 36,381.23 after Canada added a blowout 75,100 jobs in July (versus 17,800 expected). Wall Street also hit fresh records — but for the opposite reason: US employers unexpectedly cut 23,000 jobs, which markets read as reducing the odds of any further Fed rate hikes. Add in a fourth straight record close for European stocks, a wild swing in oil, and gold pushing toward US$4,400/oz, and it was a week where almost every major asset class ended up higher. 🇨🇦 Canada: TSX's Best Week Since April Canadia...

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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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