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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 Post and Workers at Odds Over Wages, Weekend Delivery

 

Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) are currently locked in a dispute over wages and weekend delivery. The conflict has led to a nationwide strike involving over 55,000 postal workers, just days before the busy holiday season.

The main points of contention include Canada Post's proposal to hire more part-time workers for weekend parcel delivery, which the union opposes. The union argues that this would undermine job security and lead to lower wages. Additionally, the union is seeking fair wages and improved working conditions, citing the rising cost of living as a significant factor.

Canada Post, on the other hand, has proposed wage increases above inflation over the next four years and aims to introduce a flexible seven-day delivery model to remain competitive. However, the union is pushing for a compounded wage increase of 24% over the same period.

As negotiations continue, the strike has already begun to impact mail and parcel deliveries, causing concern among businesses and consumers alike. The outcome of these talks will be crucial in determining the future of postal services in Canada.

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