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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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Amazon to Close All Quebec Warehouses, Lay Off 1,700 Workers

 

Amazon Canada has announced the closure of all seven of its warehouses in Quebec, resulting in the layoff of approximately 1,700 permanent employees and 250 temporary workers. The decision, which will take effect over the next two months, is part of a strategic move to revert to a third-party delivery model.

The affected facilities include fulfillment centers in Lachine, sorting centers in Coteau-du-Lac and Longueuil, delivery stations in Laval and Lachine, and an AMXL delivery station in Longueuil. Amazon claims that this decision was made to provide more efficient and cost-effective service to customers.

However, the move comes amidst ongoing labor disputes, particularly following the unionization of workers at the Laval warehouse last year. The Confédération des syndicats nationaux (CSN) has condemned the closures, suggesting they are part of an anti-union campaign.

Amazon has assured that it will offer a package including up to 14 weeks' pay and transitional benefits to the impacted employees. Despite this, the CSN plans to challenge the closures, arguing that they violate labor laws.

This decision marks a significant shift in Amazon's operations in Quebec and raises questions about the future of labor relations in the region.




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