The Bank of Canada raised its benchmark interest rate to 2.5 per cent on Wednesday, the first increase to its policy rate in more than three years. The central bank warns Canadians could soon face higher prices. Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem says cost pressures are building in the economy, mainly from war in the Middle East. He added the bank is concerned that the longer global oil prices stay high the more likely businesses are to pass on those higher costs to their customers.
Nova Scotia school support workers could walk off the job Monday unless their employer offers a wage deal acceptable to the union. CUPE says it wants an offer that raises wages for its 55-hundred members by at least three-dollars-and-50-cents an hour over four years. Without it, the union says it will issue a 48-hour strike notice on Friday. The workers include educational assistants, bus drivers, custodians and early childhood teachers, with disruptions varying by region. Union chair Nelson Scott says the proposal would bring the lowest-paid members to at least 24 dollars an hour under the agreement.
Colchester County District RCMP is investigating the theft of several historical plaques from monuments. Last Friday, police learned that two plaques had been stolen from monuments at a provincial park on Station Rd. in Londonderry. Both plaques are approximately two feet by one foot and have information about the mining history in the area. The theft is believed to have occurred earlier in October. A plaque was also stolen from a monument at a provincial park in Lower Onslow. The plaque gives information about conservation efforts that support waterfowl habitat in the area. That theft is believed to have taken place within the last three months.
Although the investigations are ongoing, police are aware that plaques or other historical metal items may be stolen and sold as scrap metal.
In sports,
For the first time ever, the Milwaukee Brewers are World Series champions. The Brewers won the title with a 4-1 win in Tampa Bay over the Rays last night, winning the Series in five games.
