Canada’s counter tariffs hit $27.6 billion of US goods on September 8 at rates of 15, 25 and 50 percent. Furniture, clothing, appliances, cheese and electronics are covered, but two exceptions mean less will reprice than the headlines suggest.
Ottawa’s $7.5 billion package extends all three EI measures, but by different amounts: one year for the waiting period waiver and severance suspension, eight months for the extra 20 weeks. A new rule also lifts the penalty for quitting.
Inflation rose to 3.0 percent in July while average hourly wages grew 2.8 percent, so real wages have turned negative for the first time this year. Gasoline drove the entire increase, and groceries actually improved.
The 50 percent Section 338 tariffs took effect August 22 after talks collapsed. Canada will retaliate dollar for dollar from September 8, and worker support measures are due this week.
The EI measures protecting laid off workers were due to expire October 10 but have now been extended, by one year for two of them and eight months for the third. Here is what each rule does and why the date your claim starts matters.
Average hourly wages reached $37.17 in July, up 2.8 percent year over year and matching the rate of inflation. Here is what the national average wage actually nets after CPP, EI and income tax in 2026.
Claims opened August 4 in the $8.7 million CRA data breach settlement, with a February 3, 2027 deadline. The tiers pay $80, $200 or up to $5,000, and the official eligibility dates differ from what most coverage reports.
CPP and OAS land Wednesday, July 29 — but the Quebec Pension Plan pays Friday, July 31. Here is the full 2026 QPP payment calendar from Retraite Québec, this year’s maximum amounts, and the five ways QPP genuinely differs from CPP.
A fixed $150 lump sum for Canada Disability Benefit recipients takes legal effect September 1, 2026. No application is needed, past recipients qualify, and it can be paid for each approved DTC certificate.
CPP and OAS payments arrive July 29, 2026, with OAS rising 1.2 percent to $751.97 and $827.17 monthly. Here are the new GIS amounts, the clawback thresholds and why your supplement may change by more.