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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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Federal Contracting Scandal: The ArriveCan App Controversy


  • Contracting Overview: Three companies involved in the ArriveCan app development received over $1-billion in federal contracts since 2011. The firms, Coradix Technology Consulting, Dalian Enterprises, and GCStrategies, have been suspended pending investigations into alleged misconduct.

  • Parliamentary Scrutiny: The sharp increase in federal outsourcing, from approximately $8-billion in 2016 to over $21-billion last year, has led to parliamentary scrutiny. Allegations include inflated rĂ©sumĂ©s and a reliance on IT staffing firms that subcontract work for commissions.

  • Indigenous Procurement Strategy: Dalian, an aboriginally owned company, partnered with Coradix for contracts under the federal Procurement Strategy for Indigenous Business. Audits are underway to ensure compliance with program rules.

  • Conflict of Interest Concerns: Revelations of conflict of interest have emerged, including a case where a public servant was involved with a contracting company. The Treasury Board disclosed 162 conflict-of-interest declarations for the 2023-24 fiscal year, with ongoing reviews.

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