News of the day: Exports surge, venture capital investment jumps, defying economic gravity, MDA satellite deals, World Cup drives spending and more

It's Tuesday, August 4. Here are the top stories we're following today.

High energy prices fuel surge in Canadian exports in second quarter

Total exports rose by 13.1 per cent for the quarter, while imports increased by 4.2 per cent. It was the strongest increase in exports since the third quarter of 2020, according to Statistics Canada data published on Tuesday.

Venture capital investment in Canada jumps 17% in first half of 2026, with domestic investors leading way

It marks the first year-over-year increase in first-half venture capital investment since 2021, with the bulk of the gains coming early in the year. Second quarter investment this year declined seven per cent to $1.29 billion from the first quarter's $1.39 billion.

Our federal government keeps trying to defy economic gravity and failing

Canada has a recurring pattern of tax measures built for a headline and drafted without regard for how people move, writes Kim Moody.

MDA Space nabs $474 million in Telesat deal and new federal contract to build satellites for military

Ottawa's Telesat Corp. said that it is expanding its Telesat Lightspeed low-earth orbit network by 67 satellites, lifting its total number of fully funded satellites to 225 from 156. Brampton, Ont.-based MDA Space Ltd. will manufacture an additional 27 satellites for Telesat.

FIFA World Cup drove spending in Toronto, Vancouver

Toronto and Vancouver hosted 13 matches during this year's World Cup run. Visa said its data reveals the tournament left a measurable economic impact on local businesses across the two host cities.

Matthew Lau: Don't count daycare costs as benefits

Opinion: We need to fix how we charge refugees for health care