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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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Tiny Homes for the Homeless: A Controversial Solution in Toronto

 

The City of Toronto has requested the removal of tiny shelters for homeless individuals from St. James Park. These shelters, built by the non-profit organization Tiny Tiny Homes, were designed to provide temporary housing for those experiencing homelessness. The city cited safety concerns and interference with public use of the park as reasons for the removal.

Ryan Donais, the founder of Tiny Tiny Homes, started building these shelters to address the growing number of homeless encampments in Ontario. Each tiny home is equipped with a bed, a small kitchen, a solar panel for lights and a fan, and a diesel-fueled heating system. Despite the city's request, Donais and his supporters are advocating for alternative locations for the shelters and have started a petition to garner public support.

The city has acknowledged the good intentions behind the initiative but maintains that the shelters pose safety risks and interfere with city staff's outreach work. As the debate continues, the future of these tiny homes remains uncertain.


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