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Gas Is Still $1.81 a Litre: Why Pump Prices Won't Fall (and What to Do Before Winter)

  Canadians hoping for relief at the pump got bad news heading into this week: it isn't coming soon. The national average for regular gas was $1.81 a litre on Friday, according to Kalibrate, with provincial averages ranging from $1.557 in Alberta to $2.156 in Newfoundland, per GasBuddy. That's after a big policy move. On Friday the G7 announced plans to release 100 million barrels of oil right away, starting with diesel. Brent crude dipped on the news, then climbed back to about US$102 a barrel by the afternoon. Don't expect the release to show up at your station, because crude is only half the story. Crude oil explains only half your pump price Wood Mackenzie's Jim Mitchell says crude makes up 50 to 60 per cent of the retail price of gas. The rest is the cost of refining it, and that's where the squeeze is. Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem pointed to damaged refining capacity worldwide in a Sept. 21 speech, noting that pump prices reflect crude roughly US$40 a ...

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Canadian Excel Maestro Claims World Spreadsheet Championship Title

 

Michael Jarman, a financial modelling director from Toronto, has been crowned the new world champion of managing spreadsheets in Microsoft Excel. Jarman clinched the title at the Microsoft Excel World Championships held in Las Vegas on December 4, 2024, defeating Australia's three-time champion Andrew Ngai in a thrilling finale.

The competition, which is akin to an esports event, required participants to build and manage spreadsheets to perform tasks and solve problems based on a World of Warcraft theme. Jarman's victory came after an intense final round where he successfully tracked various game statistics, including experience points and health, under immense pressure.

For his remarkable skills, Jarman took home a $5,000 prize and the event's signature championship belt. "It was an amazing feeling," Jarman said. "It's definitely a really great memory for me, and will be for a long time."

Jarman's triumph not only highlights his exceptional Excel abilities but also showcases the growing popularity of spreadsheet competitions as a unique and entertaining sport.



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