The Central Bank of Canada raised its key interest rate on Wednesday by 25 basis points to 5%. Higher interest rates increase the cost of loans for homeowners renewing mortgages and for Canadians paying off variable-rate mortgages. The strike in the ports of the west coast of Canada has affected the containerization of agricultural goods. Some 7,500 members of the International Longshoremen and Warehouses Union of Canada went on strike July 1 in the ports of Vancouver and Prince Rupert. The Canadian Pork and Meat Councils are calling on the Minister for Transport to protect perishable agricultural products from the effects of the strikes and return workers to their jobs. Health is one of the main topics of the three-day meeting of Canadian provincial premiers this week. Improving healthcare isn't just about money and transferring funds from Ottawa to the regions, provincial premiers said Tuesday at their annual conference in Winnipeg. Two new LRT lines were due to open in Toronto this August. However, Metrolinx's published progress report on the Eglinton Crosstown and Finch West lines does not provide an exact completion date. Details in the issue of Canadian news, hosted by Marina Beregovskaya.

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