Canada

More than two-thirds of young Canadians are worried they will face greater challenges than their parents in accumulating savings for their retirement years, a new survey suggests.

But the survey also found more and more parents plan to help their adult children, even to the detriment of their own finances.

A report published this week by the Bank of Montreal (BMO) found that 73 percent of Millennials surveyed say retirement planning will be more difficult than it was for their parents, followed by Generation X at 67 percent, Generation Z at 61 percent and Boomers at 60 percent.

Former prime minister Stephen Harper said late Wednesday that Canada must urgently pivot in the face of an erratic U.S. president and reduce its dependence on the American market to protect its sovereignty and the continued functioning of the economy.

Speaking at a gala in Ottawa to mark the 20 years since he formed a Conservative government, Harper said while he has “largely stayed silent” on U.S. aggression up until now, he feels compelled to speak out about what he described as an existential threat.

He said the U.S. has become “hostile” and its leader, President Donald Trump, is openly questioning Canadian sovereignty, launching threats and betraying trade deals, which poses a “serious challenge” that demands a muscular response.

I don’t know the Canada he’s asking us to defend and frankly we have much bigger problems than Trump.

Lauren Chervinski left Canada two years ago and says she has no regrets. The 34-year-old Winnipeg native, who lived in Vancouver for her last seven years in Canada, moved to West Palm Beach, Florida, with her husband in August 2024. She says her new home offers increased financial opportunity, cheaper real estate prices, and safer streets.

Running a small yacht repair company with her husband, Chervinski said they saw their revenue grow by 50 percent in the first year.

“The most common theme I hear among people who want to leave Canada is that they’re not confident in the direction that the country is headed,” she said in an interview, noting that she’s heard this feedback from Canadians she’s helped move as part of her consulting business, as well as the expats she’s met in Florida.

Deputy Conservative Leader Melissa Lantsman warned Monday that rising grocery prices and federal fiscal policy are contributing to growing independence-seeking frustration in parts of the country, linking affordability pressures to renewed national unity concerns.

Speaking at a press conference in Ottawa, Lantsman criticized the Liberal government’s proposed grocery rebate, arguing it offers minimal relief while food prices continue to climb.

The centre cannot hold …