Tariff discussions have dominated the news cycles this year and this past week has been no different. This past weekend the US and China agreed to a pause on the crippling tariffs that they had recently imposed on each other. All the economists that we have listened to this year have suggested that tariffs are inflationary, with a recession as the most plausible likelihood, if not adjusted. And it seems that the US government has listened to the economists based on this latest pause. The two countries have agreed to a 90 day pause, starting on May 14th, whereby the US tariffs on Chinese goods could be reduced from 145% to 30% and China would cut its levies on US imports from 125% to 10%. While this is a temporary pause, with the expectation that the two countries iron out a deal in those 90 days, the markets obviously see this as a positive sign and have responded favourably. We also see this as a positive for Canada to cut a deal of its own on the tariffs currently in place, especially after the latest jobs report was issued last week. The Canadian economy got a glimpse of what is to come if we do not cut a deal that will lower the tariffs, as the unemployment rate jumped to 6.9% in April, with industries such as manufacturing and natural resources shed thousands of jobs. The overall economy added 7,400 but that is solely due to the temporary hiring of federal election workers- excluding that factor, there were approximately 30,000 jobs lost. The April jobs report is the first one that displays the direct impact of tariffs on Canada’s labour market, and points to the potential problem the economy faces if the trade war is not resolved. The latest jobs report will also provide some interesting discussions at the Bank of Canada in advance of their next interest rate decision, with another reduction certainly on the table.

We have an interesting follow-up to the above tariff commentary, with an article on how tariffs are impacting small business. Check it out!

People often wonder when the correct time to buy Life Insurance might be. While every situation is different, we have an article that can help bring some clarity.

For the cheese-lovers out there, we have a great article that will provide you with the names of a few excellent Canadian cheese makers- no need to buy outside of Canada!

There is a new theme park hot spot…the Middle East! Disney is the latest to build a theme park in Abu Dhabi and more are planned. Have a read!

Do dogs really look and act like their owners? Psychologists say yes and we have an article that will provide further proof.

Have a great week- enjoy the upcoming Victoria Day Long Weekend! We hope it is filled with the return of BBQ season, family, friends and sunshine!

As investor, it has often been prudent to ask yourself, what would Buffet do? We have a savvy article for those who are trying to understand how to navigate the current markets.