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Canada's Inflation Jumps to 2.4% in March — And Your Grocery and Gas Bills Show It

Canada's annual inflation rate climbed to 2.4% in March 2026 , up sharply from 1.8% in February, according to Statistics Canada data released Monday. The jump was driven almost entirely by soaring energy prices tied to the U.S.-Iran conflict and its disruption of oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz — and Canadians felt it directly at the gas pump and grocery store. Headline CPI (March) 2.4% ▲ Up from 1.8% in February Gasoline (monthly) +21.2% Largest monthly jump on record Grocery prices (year/year) +4.4% Up from 4.1% in February Core CPI (ex-gas) 2.2% Milder than expected Gas was the main culprit Gasoline prices surged a record 21.2% month over month in March — the largest single-month jump ever recorded in Canada — as the U.S.-Iran conflict choked off roughly one-fifth of the world's oil supply through the Strait of Hormuz. On a year-...

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Canadian Service Sector Shrinks for Seventh Straight Month in December

 


According to S&P Global Canada services PMI data, the Canadian service sector shrank for the seventh consecutive month in December 2023, as elevated borrowing costs weighed on the housing market. The headline business activity index edged up to 44.6 in December from a near three-and-a-half-year low of 44.5 in November. However, it remained well below the 50 threshold that separates growth from contraction.

The Canadian service sector is a significant contributor to the country’s economy, and its contraction could have far-reaching implications. The sector includes industries such as finance, insurance, real estate, professional services, and retail trade. The contraction of the service sector could lead to a decline in employment opportunities and a decrease in consumer spending.


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