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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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Federal Government Faces Mounting Pressure to Resolve Canada Post Strike

 

The ongoing Canada Post strike, now in its fourth week, is causing significant disruptions across the country, prompting calls for federal government intervention. The Retail Council of Canada (RCC) has urged the government to step in, highlighting the severe impact on businesses, especially during the critical holiday shopping season.

With over 55,000 postal workers on strike, retailers are struggling to meet customer demands and maintain operations. The RCC estimates that the retail sector has already incurred losses exceeding C$1 billion. The strike's timing, coinciding with the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales, has exacerbated the situation, leaving many businesses unable to fulfill orders and receive payments.

Despite the mounting pressure, the federal government has so far resisted intervening, stating that the matter should be resolved through negotiations between Canada Post and the union. However, with the strike showing no signs of ending soon, the business community continues to push for government action to prevent further economic damage.

As the strike enters its 20th day, the RCC and other stakeholders are calling for a swift resolution to avoid further losses and ensure that businesses can operate smoothly during the holiday season.




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