Canada's Unemployment Rises While Gold Exports Boom and RBC Completes HSBC Acquisition

• Canada's unemployment rate jumped to 6.1% in March, up from 5.8% in February, the largest increase in over 2 years

• Federal government launched $1.5 billion rental protection fund to help non-profits buy affordable rental apartments

• Exports of gold have soared recently, close to becoming Canada's 2nd largest export behind oil

• Ford delayed start of EV production at Oakville plant to 2027, will still retool factory with $1.8 billion investment

• RBC completed $13.5 acquisition of HSBC Canada, moving billions in customer money and data onto its systems in a complex IT transition over one weekend