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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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Liberal Leadership Race Heats Up as High-Profile Candidates Emerge

 

As the race to elect a new Liberal leader quickly approaches, the field of hopefuls is narrowing. Former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney is expected to launch his bid to replace Prime Minister Justin Trudeau after signaling plans through his campaign team. Former B.C. premier Christy Clark is also debating whether to put her name forward, expressing her serious consideration despite disappointment with the short timeline for the race.

Several high-profile cabinet ministers have announced they will not run, including Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon and Transport and Internal Trade Minister Anita Anand, who each bowed out over the weekend. They join Finance Minister Dominic Leblanc and Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly, who have decided to focus on their portfolios instead.

Hopefuls have until January 23 to declare their candidacy, with the new leader set to be announced on March 9. So far, former Montreal MP Frank Baylis and Nepean, Ont., MP Chandra Arya are the only ones to publicly state their intention to run.

The race is shaping up to be a pivotal moment for the Liberal Party as it seeks new leadership and direction for the future.

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