The Canadian Press has provided a roundup of significant stories trending in Canada, offering insight into political movements, economic updates, and industry news.
Federal Party Leaders Campaigning in Quebec
On the closing day of the second week of the federal election campaign, party leaders are actively engaging voters in Quebec. Pierre Poilievre, leader of the Conservative Party, is scheduled to hold a press conference in Trois-Rivières this morning. NDP leader Jagmeet Singh will make an announcement and visit a local business in Montreal. Meanwhile, Liberal Leader Mark Carney is expected to deliver remarks in Montreal and later tour an auto manufacturing facility located in Woodbridge, Ontario, followed by a rally in Toronto.
Statistics Canada Set to Release March Employment Figures
Statistics Canada is in the spotlight as it prepares to release employment figures for March today. Economists surveyed by Reuters predict a modest increase of 10,000 jobs during this month, alongside an anticipated rise in the unemployment rate by a tenth of a point to 6.7 percent. Conversely, RBC Economics forecasts a slight decline, projecting that the economy may have shed 10,000 jobs in March. The labor market demonstrated robust growth at the beginning of the year, but it experienced a slowdown in February, adding only 1,100 jobs, largely attributed to severe winter conditions and economic uncertainty.
Impact of U.S. Tariffs on Auto Prices
Experts are warning that the recently implemented U.S. tariffs on Canadian auto imports will lead to a significant increase in prices for both new and used vehicles. Sean Mactavish, CEO of the used-car marketplace Autozen, has noted that costs for certain used cars are already on the rise as sellers predict that buyers will seek better deals compared to the prices of new vehicles. President Donald Trump has enforced a 25 percent duty on imported vehicles, although some parts compliant with the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Free Trade Agreement are given a temporary reprieve. In response, Canada has announced retaliatory tariffs on U.S.-made automobiles.
Job Losses Predicted from Hudson's Bay Closures
In a significant shift, Hudson's Bay plans to close the majority of its stores by June, raising concerns about extensive job losses extending beyond its own employees. Analysts have highlighted that individuals working for various service providers within the Bay, including salons and beauty counters, are likely to be affected, as well as personnel contracted by specific brands. Additionally, companies that supply merchandise to Hudson's Bay could face revenue declines, leading to further job cuts among their employees.
Site Selection for Nuclear Waste Management
An organization responsible for overseeing Canada’s nuclear waste is actively exploring locations for a second repository to securely store millions of bundles of radioactive used fuel for thousands of years. With the current focus on a deep geological repository in northern Ontario anticipated to begin operations in the 2040s, the management organization emphasizes that the existing storage solutions are inadequate for long-term safety, as they cannot effectively contain the waste for the thousands of years required for its radioactivity to dissipate to safe levels.
This comprehensive overview emphasizes the pressing political campaigns, significant economic developments, impending industry transformations, and critical environmental considerations shaping the Canadian landscape as of April 4, 2025.
