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Your daily horoscope: January 28, 2026

  IF TODAY IS YOUR BIRTHDAY Everything changes so fast nowadays that it can be hard staying on top of it all, but your mind will move so quickly this year that you have no trouble keeping on top of events. Change is good for you, and it’s exciting as well. ARIES (March 21 - April 20): If someone provokes you today don’t just blindly lash out at them. They may be in the wrong but it’s up to you how you choose to react. Is it worth getting worked up about? No it isn’t, so refuse to take it personally and just move on. TAURUS (April 21 - May 21): If someone turns up the heat on the work front today don’t get hot under the collar. They may or may not be justified in their actions but there is nothing they can do that will actually affect you in a negative way, so stay calm. GEMINI (May 22 - June 21): There are days when it all comes together and this could be one of them. Cosmic activity in your fellow air sign of Aquarius means you are in tune with the spirit of the times on every lev...

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Boxing Day Sales See Smaller Crowds Despite GST Break

 

Retailers across the country experienced smaller crowds and cautious spending on Boxing Day this year, despite the federal government's GST holiday. While the tax break, which makes a variety of items GST-free for two months, did attract some shoppers, many consumers remained hesitant due to ongoing cost of living concerns.

Shoppers at Fairview Mall in Toronto, like Nakul Singal, took advantage of the deals but expressed that the tax break alone wasn't enough to offset the high costs of living**. Singal mentioned, "It's good to shop around during this time, but we're still struggling with expenses, especially housing.

Retail Council of Canada's Matt Poirier noted that businesses faced challenges implementing the tax break on short notice, and some older payment systems struggled to adapt.  An RBC Economics report also indicated that retail spending slowed in November, with holiday spending slightly below 2023 levels over the Black Friday weekend.

Despite these challenges, some retailers, like GameStop in north Toronto, saw an influx of customers eager to benefit from the tax holiday. Assistant store manager Joey Comia-Orellano said, "We've been getting shoppers before Boxing Day, and we expect it to get busier as consumers look to save with Boxing Day deals combined with the tax break."

Overall, while the GST break provided some relief, it wasn't enough to fully counteract the economic pressures faced by many Canadians.




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