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Oil Prices Are Spiking — Here's What It Means for Your Gas Tank and Grocery Bill

  Published July 17, 2026 Crude oil is trading near one-month highs this week, and if you've filled up your tank recently, you've probably already felt it. The culprit: an escalating conflict in the Middle East that's disrupting one of the world's most important oil shipping routes — and it's starting to show up at Canadian pumps and, eventually, on grocery store shelves. What's happening with oil prices West Texas Intermediate (WTI), the North American benchmark, has been trading around the $79–$80 per barrel range this week — up roughly 5% over the past month. Brent crude, the global benchmark that matters more for what Canadians pay at the pump, has been hovering near $85 per barrel, also near a one-month high. The spike traces back to renewed fighting between the U.S. and Iran. The U.S. reimposed a naval blockade on Iran and has intensified strikes, while Iran has responded with attacks on U.S. bases and threats to disrupt regional energy shipments further. ...

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Ontario Premier Doug Ford Calls Snap Election for February 27

Ontario Premier Doug Ford is set to call a snap election next week, sending voters to the polls on February 27. This unexpected move comes as Ford seeks a fresh mandate to address the looming threat of tariffs from the United States under President Donald Trump. The provincial election, originally scheduled for June 2026, has been advanced as Ford emphasizes the need for a "strong mandate" to protect Ontario's economy and jobs.

Ford's decision has sparked criticism from opposition leaders, who accuse him of prioritizing his political career over the province's stability. Ontario Liberal leader Bonnie Crombie expressed her disapproval, stating that Ford has chosen "recklessness over responsibility". Despite the controversy, recent polls indicate that Ford's Progressive Conservative Party holds a significant lead, with 46% of respondents supporting the Conservatives.

The upcoming election will be the first mid-winter election in Ontario since 1981. As the province braces for this unexpected political event, all eyes will be on Ford's announcement next week and the subsequent campaign trail.

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