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Federal Budget 2025: What It Means for Your Money

The 2025 federal budget introduces a mix of tax cuts, housing measures, and spending shifts that will directly affect Canadians’ day-to-day finances. While the government projects a significant deficit, the plan focuses on affordability and long-term growth. Here are eight key ways it impacts your wallet: 1. Lower Income Taxes The lowest federal tax bracket will be reduced from 15% to 14% starting mid-2025, giving middle-income earners some relief. 2. Vacant Home Measures The Underused Housing Tax will be expanded to discourage vacant and underutilized properties, aiming to free up more housing supply. 3. Student Loan Relief Repayment assistance will be enhanced, with lower income thresholds and capped monthly payments to ease the burden on graduates. 4. Consumer Protection New rules will cut down on excessive banking fees and strengthen protections for financial consumers, especially those with modest incomes. 5. Housing Affordability Programs Funding will support first-...
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Solar Storm Brings Northern Lights to Southern Canada and Beyond


 


A series of powerful solar storms recently graced the night skies, making the northern lights unusually visible even in regions far south. This dazzling display was caused by a geomagnetic storm, which not only illuminated Canada but also extended its colorful auroras to parts of the northern United States and Europe.

The Solar Storm Phenomenon

  • Solar storms occur due to the sun’s activity cycle, which spans approximately 11 years. During the solar maximum, more sunspots appear on the sun’s surface. These sunspots are cooler regions that appear black when observed through solar telescopes. However, they are more than mere spots—they represent an entanglement of magnetic fields that can erupt with a solar flare.

  • Often, solar flares are followed by a coronal mass ejection (CME)—a massive burst of charged particles carried along the solar wind. In this recent case, the sun produced a series of CMEs, which are now heading toward Earth. The U.S.-based National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued a severe geomagnetic storm watch for our planet, the first in nearly two decades.

A Spectacular Light Show

  • Where can you witness the northern lights? If Earth lies in the path of these charged particles, they interact with our magnetic field and molecules in the upper atmosphere, resulting in the mesmerizing aurora borealis. During this recent geomagnetic storm, the northern lights were visible not only in Canada but also in parts of the northern United States and Europe.

  • Clear skies in various regions allowed people to witness this celestial spectacle. From Vancouver to southern Canada and even central British Columbia, the colorful auroras danced across the night sky. If you were lucky enough to see them, you could capture the magic by sharing your photos with bcphotos@cbc.ca.

A Weekend of Wonder

  • As the solar storm continued, scientists anticipated that the northern lights would continue to dazzle on Saturday night. However, it’s essential to note that while these auroras are awe-inspiring, the storm could also cause disruptions to communications over the weekend.

In summary, the recent geomagnetic storm brought the northern lights to unexpected latitudes, creating a celestial spectacle that captivated skywatchers across Canada and beyond. So, if you find yourself under clear skies during such an event, don’t miss the chance to witness this natural wonder


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