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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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New CPP rules mean higher deductions and benefits for Canadians



Starting Monday, Canadians will see a change in their paycheques as the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) introduces a new earnings ceiling for higher-income earners.

The new ceiling, which applies to anyone earning more than $68,500 in 2024, is part of a broader pension revamp that began in 2019. The goal is to provide more financial support for Canadians after they retire, by increasing both the contributions and the benefits of the CPP.

Under the new rules, workers and employers will pay an additional four per cent on the amount they earn between $68,500 and $73,200. This means a maximum of $188 more in payroll deductions for 2024. Self-employed people will pay both portions, or eight per cent.

The trade-off is that Canadians will eventually receive higher payouts once they start collecting their pensions. The enhanced CPP is designed to replace one-third of a person’s eligible income, up from one-quarter under the old system.

The full effects of the CPP changes will take decades to materialize, so the youngest workers stand to gain the most. People retiring 40 years from now will see their income go up by more than 50 per cent compared to the current pension beneficiaries.

The CPP changes do not affect the eligibility criteria for retirement pension, post-retirement benefits, disability pension and survivor’s pension.


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