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Gas Prices Are Spiking Again — Here's How to Protect Your Wallet as the Iran Conflict Escalates

  Published July 20, 2026 If it feels like you're filling up more often for the same money lately, you're not imagining it. Oil markets jolted higher to start the week, and Canadian drivers are almost certain to see it at the pump in the next few days. What just happened Brent crude — the global benchmark that drives Canadian gas pricing — jumped nearly 4% on Monday to trade above US$90 a barrel, its highest level since mid-June, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate traded near US$84. The move came after the United States and Iran escalated hostilities over the weekend, including strikes on vessels attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz and an attack on an oil facility in Kuwait. That strait matters enormously to your gas bill: roughly a fifth of the world's oil supply normally passes through it. When shipping through it slows or stalls, traders price in a "risk premium" almost immediately — and that shows up at Canadian pumps within days, not weeks. What it mea...

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Federal Workforce in Turmoil: Mass Layoffs Spark Outrage and Uncertainty

In a sweeping move that has left federal workers reeling, the Trump administration has initiated mass layoffs targeting probationary employees across various federal agencies. The abrupt terminations, which began on February 13, 2025, have sparked widespread anger, chaos, and confusion among the affected workers.

The layoffs are part of a broader effort spearheaded by the newly-established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by billionaire Elon Musk. The initiative aims to streamline government operations and reduce spending by targeting employees who have been with the federal government for less than one or two years.

Many federal workers have expressed shock and disbelief at the sudden job losses, with some receiving termination notices via email or pre-recorded messages. The manner in which the layoffs were conducted has been criticized as callous and lacking in consideration for the human impact.

The Trump administration's aggressive approach to downsizing the federal workforce has prompted condemnation from unions and legal experts, who argue that many of DOGE's actions may not be legal. The layoffs have also raised concerns about the government's ability to provide essential services to the public.

As the dust settles, federal workers and their families are left grappling with the uncertainty of their future, while the broader implications of the mass layoffs continue to unfold.



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