Skip to main content

Featured

Rising Tensions Leave Ships Stranded in Key Oil Passage

Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz ⁠was closed for a fourth day on Tuesday, choking off a key artery accounting for about 20% of global oil and gas supply. Greece’s Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy, Vassilis Kikilias, has raised urgent concerns over an increasingly alarming situation in the Strait of Hormuz, where dozens of vessels remain stranded amid escalating conflict involving Iran. He emphasized the need to safeguard global shipping and protect seafarers as the strategic waterway—responsible for roughly 20% of global oil and gas flows—remains closed for a fourth consecutive day.  The closure has disrupted international trade routes and heightened anxiety across the maritime sector. Greek authorities have urged shipowners to exercise maximum caution and avoid high‑risk zones in the wider Persian Gulf region as tensions continue to rise. The prolonged shutdown underscores the vulnerability of global supply chains to geopolitical instability and highlights th...

article

Canada Kicks Off Tax Filing Season


Today marks the official start of the tax filing season in Canada. As of February 24, Canadians can begin submitting their income tax and benefit returns online. This year, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has introduced several updates to its digital services to make the process smoother and more efficient for taxpayers.

One of the key changes for the 2025 tax season is the increase in federal income tax brackets by 2.7% to account for inflation. The new tax rates are as follows:

  • - 15% for earnings up to $57,375
  • - 20.5% for earnings between $57,375.01 and $114,750
  • - 26% for earnings between $114,750.01 and $177,882
  • - 29% for earnings between $177,882.01 and $253,414
  • - 33% for earnings above $253,414

Additionally, the contribution limit for the Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) has increased to $32,490 for the 2025 tax year, up from $31,560 the previous year. The maximum pensionable earnings and contributions for the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) have also been adjusted, with the Year’s Maximum Pensionable Earnings (YMPE) set at $71,300.

The CRA encourages taxpayers to file their returns early to avoid any last-minute stress and to ensure they receive any refunds or benefit payments they may be eligible for. The deadline for most individuals to file and pay any taxes owed is April 30, 2025. Self-employed Canadians have until June 16, 2025, to file their tax returns, but any money owed should be paid by April 30 to avoid interest charges.

For more information on the 2025 tax filing season and to access helpful resources, visit the CRA's official website.



Comments