The Bank of Canada spoke, and when they talk we pay attention, so here are the highlights: 

Why it matters:

The Bank is a key (maybe the key) player in the economic recovery ahead because they are best positioned make cheap credit available and keep financial markets stable.

What the Bank is doing: 

Basically, the Bank 1) keeps the financial system running smoothly by making liquid markets and 2) facilitating investment in the economy by keeping credit cheap.

What's next: Bank Governor Tiff Macklem is scheduled to hold a full news conference today where more details may be revealed.

Construction of new homes in Canada is the highest its been in a decade. Housing "starts" grew to 262,396 units in August, up 6.9% from July. The last time starts were this high was September 2007 — at the onset of the Great Recession.

What's driving growth: New construction in Toronto and Vancouver — particularly in the condo market — makes up a big portion of new construction.

Zoom out: So far housing prices have continued to climb to record highs in cities because of strong demand, low inventory, and cheap mortgages. But as new housing construction continues to grow, so will supply. That could depress prices in the coming years as these construction projects finish.

What's next: There are red flags ahead for the housing market, including an upcoming expiration of over 500,000 emergency mortgage deferrals and majorities of those who lost income during the pandemic reporting that they will have some difficulty making payments.

It was supposed to be a slam dunk. A $200m remake of a beloved animated movie released direct to Disney+ when people are at home with not much better to do than stream entertainment. 

But it hasn't played out that way. Disney's new Mulan release has been beset by serious issues: 

All this is a far cry from what Disney had planned for the movie, which was expected to net $1bn in revenue for the company.

The big picture: The issues around Mulan illustrate the growing difficulties with doing business in China in a climate of increased tension between the emerging superpower and Western governments. 

Shares of Slack Technologies, the owner of popular messaging app Slack, nosedived up nearly 20% after the company missed earnings targets (though it's worth noting Slack's shares are up 30% so far this year).

Why it tanked: Slack missed its earning goal because it depends on small- and medium-sized businesses that have been hammered by the pandemic.

The good news: Slack is working to break into large corporations, and it seems to be working. Billings for customers with $100,000+ in annual recurring revenue grew by 37%.

The Canada connection: Slack's founder Stewart Butterfield is a Canadian boy from Lund, British Columbia.

The Federal government announced $221m in new funding to support Black-owned business and Black entrepreneurs with loans of up to $250,000.

Alberta has ordered hundreds of students to stay at home for two weeks after potentially being exposed to Covid at school.

AstraZeneca suspended a Covid vaccine trial after one participant developed serious illness. It's not yet known whether the illness is a side effect of the drug or a coincidence.

Used car sales are through the roof, rising 22% from last year as more people seek to avoid public transit during the pandemic.