The Globe and Mail reports in its Monday, Dec. 8, edition that before we set our out-of-office notices, we need to get through a crucial U.S. Federal Reserve rate decision. The Globe's guest columnist Amber Kanwar writes that plus, we have a shaky artificial intelligence play reporting results. If either goes wrong, it could be a tough holiday season. The Bank of Canada and the Fed will announce interest rate decisions on the same day. The Fed is expected to cut rates. Keep an eye out for any dissent. During the last Fed meeting, two members dissented: one wanted to hold rates steady, while the other called for a 50-basis-point cut, reflecting vastly different views. Mackenzie Investments' Dustin Reid is a contrarian on what happens next. "It's an important meeting because it's probably the last cut of the cycle," he said last week. He thinks a combination of robust economic growth and higher inflation will keep the Fed sidelined, even with pressure from the White House. Meanwhile, Canada is expected to stand pat on rates. Here too, Mr. Reid was a contrarian. "I disagree with that view [that the BOC is done.] I think that the bank will end up cutting at least twice more before the end of the first half of 2026."