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Canada’s Inflation Climbs to 2.4% as Gas Prices Surge to Record High

  Canada’s inflation rate accelerated to 2.4% in March , up from 1.8% in February, as the Iran war triggered the largest monthly gasoline price increase on record . Statistics Canada reported that gas prices surged 21.2% month‑over‑month , a supply‑shock response to Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz and broader Middle East instability.  Energy costs were the dominant driver of March inflation, with overall energy prices rising 3.9% year‑over‑year after a sharp decline the month before. Excluding gasoline, inflation would have eased to 2.2% , highlighting how concentrated the price shock was.  Food inflation offered mixed relief: grocery prices rose 4.4% , while fresh vegetables jumped 7.8% due to difficult growing conditions. Restaurant inflation cooled sharply as last year’s tax‑holiday distortions fell out of the annual comparison.  Economists note that while headline inflation spiked, core measures remained relatively tame , giving the Bank of Canada ro...

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Canada Ends Work Permit Applications for Visitors

 

Effective August 28, 2024, visitors to Canada can no longer apply for work permits from within the country. This abrupt policy change by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) aims to manage the number of temporary residents and maintain the integrity of the immigration system.

The policy, initially set to expire on February 28, 2025, was terminated ahead of schedule due to concerns about abuse and the need to streamline the immigration process. Visitors who had previously been able to apply for work permits without leaving Canada must now explore alternative routes to work legally in the country.

This change underscores the government’s commitment to tightening immigration rules and addressing issues related to temporary foreign workers.


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