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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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Navigating Inheritance Tax: Understanding and Planning for Your Legacy

 

Inheritance tax is a levy on the assets bequeathed by a deceased person to their heirs. While many countries have specific inheritance taxes, Canada does not impose such a tax. Instead, the Canadian Revenue Agency (CRA) treats the estate as having been sold at fair market value immediately before death, which may result in capital gains taxes that the estate must pay before distribution to beneficiaries.

Who Pays Inheritance Tax? In jurisdictions where inheritance tax exists, it is typically paid by the beneficiary who receives the assets. However, in Canada, beneficiaries do not pay taxes on received inheritances directly. Any taxes owed are usually settled by the estate of the deceased before the inheritance is distributed.

How to Avoid Inheritance Tax Since Canada does not have an inheritance tax, Canadian residents need not worry about avoiding it. However, it’s important to plan for potential capital gains taxes on the estate’s assets. Strategies such as designating a principal residence, planning withdrawals from retirement accounts, and setting up trusts can help minimize the tax burden on an estate.

Understanding the implications of inheritance and estate taxes is crucial for effective estate planning. By being informed and prepared, you can ensure that your legacy is passed on to your loved ones with minimal tax impact.

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