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Gas Prices Are Spiking Again — Here's How to Protect Your Wallet as the Iran Conflict Escalates

  Published July 20, 2026 If it feels like you're filling up more often for the same money lately, you're not imagining it. Oil markets jolted higher to start the week, and Canadian drivers are almost certain to see it at the pump in the next few days. What just happened Brent crude — the global benchmark that drives Canadian gas pricing — jumped nearly 4% on Monday to trade above US$90 a barrel, its highest level since mid-June, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate traded near US$84. The move came after the United States and Iran escalated hostilities over the weekend, including strikes on vessels attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz and an attack on an oil facility in Kuwait. That strait matters enormously to your gas bill: roughly a fifth of the world's oil supply normally passes through it. When shipping through it slows or stalls, traders price in a "risk premium" almost immediately — and that shows up at Canadian pumps within days, not weeks. What it mea...
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Brian Mulroney: A Legacy of Leadership and International Diplomacy


Brian Mulroney, Canada’s 18th prime minister, passed away at the age of 84. His tenure from 1984 to 1993 left an indelible mark on Canadian history, characterized by both triumphs and challenges.

Mulroney built a strong rapport with US leaders during his time in office, improving what had been a sometimes fractious relationship between neighbors. His efforts laid the groundwork for significant treaties, including:

  1. North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA): As the architect of NAFTA, Mulroney tore down barriers to trade across North America. While the trade pact became a pillar of Canada’s economy, it also sparked debates about sovereignty.

  2. Environmental Initiatives: Mulroney spearheaded environmental treaties, such as the 1991 accord on acid rain signed with US President George H.W. Bush. These agreements were crucial first steps toward international climate change cooperation.

However, Mulroney’s international achievements contrasted with a more turbulent record in domestic affairs:

  1. National Sales Tax: His government introduced a widely disliked national sales tax, which faced public backlash.

  2. Constitutional Reforms: Mulroney embarked on an ill-fated attempt to renew Canada’s constitution. The failure of constitutional negotiations revived the question of Quebec separatism, leading to a 1995 referendum where voters narrowly rejected independence.

  3. Economic Struggles: A deep recession in the early 1990s proved fatal for Mulroney’s Progressive Conservatives. He left office in June 1993, and the party suffered a significant defeat in the subsequent election.

Brian Mulroney, the son of an electrician, was born in the small Quebec town of Baie-Comeau. His bilingual upbringing and legal background shaped his political journey. Despite the controversies, his ability to work closely with the US administration remains a testament to his leadership.

As Canada mourns the loss of a statesman, we remember Brian Mulroney as a champion of free trade, a bridge-builder, and a leader who left an indelible mark on the nation’s history. 

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