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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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Bank of Canada Slashes Rates by 50 Basis Points as Inflation Stabilizes

The Bank of Canada (BoC) has made a significant move by cutting its key interest rate by 50 basis points, bringing the overnight rate down to 3.75%. This decision, announced on October 23, 2024, marks the central bank’s fourth consecutive rate cut since June.

The BoC’s aggressive rate cuts come as inflation has returned to target levels, providing the central bank with the confidence to ease monetary policy further. Governor Tiff Macklem emphasized that the rate cut aims to support economic growth and ensure that inflation remains within the desired range.

Economists had widely anticipated this move, given the recent trends in economic data and the central bank’s commitment to maintaining price stability. The BoC’s decision reflects its proactive approach to managing the economy amid global uncertainties and domestic challenges.

With this latest rate cut, the Bank of Canada continues to navigate the delicate balance between fostering economic growth and keeping inflation in check. The central bank’s actions will be closely watched as they impact borrowing costs, consumer spending, and overall economic activity in the coming months.


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