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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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Trudeau Stays Put Over Holidays, Freeland Eyes Leadership

 

Despite mounting pressure from within his party, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has decided not to step down over the Christmas holidays. According to sources, Trudeau will spend Christmas in Ottawa before heading to British Columbia for a ski vacation with his family. 

The Liberal Party is currently in turmoil following the resignation of Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland. Freeland's departure has intensified calls for Trudeau to resign, with many Liberal MPs suggesting she could be a strong contender for the party's leadership. Freeland's resignation letter highlighted her disagreements with Trudeau over the direction of the government, particularly in light of the challenges posed by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's tariff threats.

As Trudeau reflects on his future, the Liberal Party is preparing for a potential leadership contest. Freeland, who has been praised for her handling of the NAFTA negotiations and her role during the COVID-19 pandemic, is seen by many as a capable successor. However, her popularity is not universal, with some MPs criticizing the timing and manner of her resignation.

The coming weeks will be crucial for the Liberal Party as they navigate this period of uncertainty and prepare for the possibility of a new leader at the helm.

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