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Gas Prices Are Finally Falling in Canada — Here's How Much You're Saving and What Comes Next

After weeks of painful price spikes driven by the U.S.-Iran conflict, Canadians are finally catching a break at the pump. The national average gas price dropped to 169.1 cents per litre on Monday, April 20 — down from a peak near 198 cents — as two things happened at once: Iran reopened the Strait of Hormuz to commercial traffic, and Prime Minister Mark Carney's federal fuel excise tax suspension came into effect. National Average 169.1¢/L ▼ Down from ~198¢/L peak Gas savings (excise tax) 10¢/L off gasoline until Sept. 7 Diesel savings 4¢/L off diesel until Sept. 7 WTI Crude (current) ~$87 ▼ Down from $120 peak What just happened — and why Since the U.S.-Iran conflict began in late February, Brent crude surged more than 55%, briefly topping $120 a barrel — the largest oil supply shock in the history of global markets, according to the Interna...

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Pharmacare in Canada: A Dream or a Reality?

 


The fate of Canada's pharmacare plan is uncertain as the federal government faces challenges in implementing a universal drug coverage program, even if a bill to create one passes in Parliament. Bill C-213, the Canada Pharmacare Act, aims to establish a national framework for pharmacare that would ensure all Canadians have access to prescription drugs based on their medical needs, not their ability to pay. 

However, the bill does not specify how the program would be funded, administered or negotiated with the provinces and territories, leaving many questions unanswered about the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of pharmacare. Some experts and stakeholders have expressed doubts about whether Ottawa has the political will, the constitutional authority and the fiscal capacity to deliver on its promise of pharmacare, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic that has strained the health care system and the public purse.

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