The Bank of Canada has raised its benchmark borrowing rate to 5%, the highest since April 2001, despite the economy performing better than most forecasts predicted; some economists don't believe this hike was necessary

A “major geomagnetic storm” provided a rare look at the beautiful aurora borealis — the northern lights — in southern Ontario and as far south as the Greater Toronto Area, at 43 degrees North, while usually recurring at latitudes between 60 and 75

4th session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee for an international legally binding document on plastic pollution, also in the marine environment, closed in Ottawa with 176 countries participating and a draft text available in all UN languages

Yet another fire in a month caused partial disruption of the subway service on line 2 in Toronto for over two days, forcing TTC to postpone planned maintenance work to avoid further difficulties to tens of thousands of passengers

Canada will host Cliff Diving World Series for the first time since the circuit started in 2009; the event will take place in the Port of Montreal's Grand Quay on 25 August, with athletes diving into St. Lawrence River from 21 (women) and 27 (men) meters