Canadian economic growth expected to slow to 1.5% in 2026: Deloitte

A new report forecasts Canadian growth will slow to 1.5 per cent this year from 1.7 per cent in 2025.

Dawn Desjardins, chief economist at Deloitte Canada, said she is cautiously optimistic though that the economy will gain momentum through the second half of the year.    

"Overall growth is probably going to be a bit slower than in 2025. But when we're thinking about the setup for 2027, if we're correct about this momentum building in 2026, the second half, I think it sets up nicely for 2027," she said. 

Desjardins said last year was mired in disruptions and policy uncertainty, but that fears of a significant global economic slowdown “proved unfounded” as a recession in Canada did not materialize.

Automating bill payments, savings can help keep budget on track and late fees at bay

Constantly keeping track of bills, savings and investments can be exhausting and feel like yet another chore in an already busy life.

But there is a way to take some of the work off your plate: automation.

"It's my best advice for staying on track with any financial goals, whether that's saving up for something, paying down debt or just keeping orderly with your cash flow," said Cindy Marques, certified financial planner and CEO of MakeCents.

Automating your finances generally means setting up automatic payments for bills and recurring investment or savings deductions from your bank account. It may sound tedious to set up but once most bill payments are automated, experts say it can bring structure to your finances and set your budget up for success.

Getting fit on your New Year’s resolutions list? How to start a home gym on the cheap

Not everyone wants to exercise in public, whether that’s using a gym, going to classes, or even jogging around the block. 

As an alternative, home gyms don’t have to entail major financial investments. Experts say just a few pieces can have a big impact on your workout, even with limited space.

For Cole MacCara, a personal trainer and founder of Vancouver’s ColeMacFitness, a simple and cost-effective “home gym” could be as little as three pieces: resistance bands, hip circle bands, and a kettlebell. A hip circle band is a short, thick resistance band that goes around your thighs, and assists with lower-body exercises.

“Are you going to be able to become a body builder with that? Probably not,” MacCara said. “But is it going to allow you to get some exercise in, keep you moving, burn some calories, and maybe add a little bit of fun or competition with yourself? Yeah, totally.”

Make financial success a 2026 goal with this money checklist

It's that time of the year again.

While you're caught up in last-minute runs to the store and mapping out the family dinner menu for the holidays, an annual financial review is unlikely to cross your mind.

The timing of financial reviews often competes with holiday fun as the end of the year nears when it's harder to set aside a few hours and go through money matters. Experts say you don't have to rush the analysis during the peak holiday season. Instead, you can split the task into smaller chunks and prioritize based on deadlines.

First, think about the major changes in your life this year, said Brian Quinlan, a chartered professional accountant with Allay LLP.

New pay transparency rules poised to shake up Ontario’s labour market, experts say

Workers and employers in Ontario are gearing up for significant changes in the hiring process as new pay transparency requirements are set to come into effect next year.

The province is the latest to enact such rules, which will compel employers to disclose salary information on job postings.

Experts say it will help streamline the hiring process, as it gives job seekers more details about the role before they apply, but it also means some firms will have to update their compensation policy. 

Pay transparency laws are gaining traction across North America, with similar rules already in place in other provinces like B.C. and Prince Edward Island, as well as parts of the U.S.   

How to get in on the AI rally without taking on major risk

The tech sector has seen significant volatility recently, as speculation mounts on whether there's an AI bubble percolating after a major rally. For investors looking for a piece of the action, experts say with the right strategy, it's possible to participate without risking it all.

From sushi delivery to oat milk lattes, how ‘little treats’ provide sense of solace

"Little treat culture" serves as an everyday pick-me-up for young people grappling with mounting stresses, a sense of powerlessness and the unaffordability of long-term goals.

Here’s how some young Canadians are facing their financial future

The Canadian Press has been speaking with young people about the financial challenges facing their generation — a tough job market, unaffordable housing and goals that seem out of reach.

'WAITING FOR EVERYTHING TO WORK OUT'

A few hours into a night out with friends in downtown Toronto, 19-year-old Eleni Koumoundouros has a choice to make.

Does she end the evening early and start the hour-long commute to Oakville, where she lives with her parents? Or, does she savour the evening a little longer and contend with late-night transit and walking home in the dark?

The year in money: notable personal finance changes for 2025

TORONTO - There’s been a lot to keep up with this year, so it’s easy to have missed new developments on the personal finance front even if they might mean more money in your pocket.

To help stay up to date, here’s a look at some notable changes for 2025:

Interest rates and inflation

Price growth steadied this year, allowing the Bank of Canada to push its key interest rate down by a full percentage point in 2025 to 2.25 per cent. But with higher prices already baked-in, an increasing number of consumers struggled with debt. 

Setting expectations important when lending money to loved ones: experts

Lending money to close friends or family can be a risky affair. There are chances you may not see that money again, and even worse, it could sour your relationship.

The Wealthy Barber says Canadians face more opportunities — for profit and peril

David Chilton was down on his luck.

In 1988, the aspiring author decided to cash in his RRSP and self-publish a book about a savvy barber who dispenses financial advice — like not to cash in your RRSP — to curious, wisecracking customers.

“The one time I was struggling — badly — in finance was when I was writing the original ‘Wealthy Barber,’” he said.

Surrounded by faded wood panelling, Chilton penned it by hand on a brown, lamplit card table in the basement of his home in Kitchener, Ont., carrying on despite “very mixed reviews” on the initial chapters from industry experts.

Canada’s crypto tax crackdown reaps millions. So why no criminal charges?

VANCOUVER - A team of Canada Revenue Agency "cryptoasset auditors" has been mining a rich seam of unpaid taxes, working on more than 200 files and reaping more $100 million in the last three years.

While the agency says up to 40 per cent of taxpayers who use cryptoasset platforms either haven't filed their taxes or are at high risk of non-compliance, no criminal charges have been laid since 2020.

Court filings involving a Vancouver-based crypto firm suggest the federal government's efforts to rein in crypto-based tax evasion and illicit financing are hampered by limited resources for enforcement in a space hallmarked by its borderless anonymity.

A CRA application filed in Federal Court in September says Canada's Minister of National Revenue is concerned about taxpayers using the anonymous underground economy to evade taxes, fuelled by cryptocurrencies and non-fungible tokens, which are digital representations of an asset.