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Canada's Inflation Jumps to 2.4% in March — And Your Grocery and Gas Bills Show It

Canada's annual inflation rate climbed to 2.4% in March 2026 , up sharply from 1.8% in February, according to Statistics Canada data released Monday. The jump was driven almost entirely by soaring energy prices tied to the U.S.-Iran conflict and its disruption of oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz — and Canadians felt it directly at the gas pump and grocery store. Headline CPI (March) 2.4% ▲ Up from 1.8% in February Gasoline (monthly) +21.2% Largest monthly jump on record Grocery prices (year/year) +4.4% Up from 4.1% in February Core CPI (ex-gas) 2.2% Milder than expected Gas was the main culprit Gasoline prices surged a record 21.2% month over month in March — the largest single-month jump ever recorded in Canada — as the U.S.-Iran conflict choked off roughly one-fifth of the world's oil supply through the Strait of Hormuz. On a year-...

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The End of an Era: Hudson’s Bay Co. Faces Liquidation

Hudson’s Bay Company, a cornerstone of Canadian retail history, is on the brink of closure after 355 years of operation. The company, which began as a fur trading enterprise in 1670, evolved into a retail giant with department stores across Canada. However, financial struggles, including nearly $1 billion in debt, have forced the company to file for creditor protection under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA).

Despite efforts to restructure and secure financing, Hudson’s Bay announced plans for a full liquidation of its business. This process, expected to conclude by June 2025, will result in the closure of all 88 Hudson’s Bay stores, along with its Saks Fifth Avenue and Saks Off 5th locations in Canada. The liquidation marks a significant loss for the Canadian retail landscape, impacting over 9,000 employees and leaving major shopping malls with vacant anchor spaces.

The company cited subdued consumer spending, post-pandemic shifts in shopping habits, and trade tensions as contributing factors to its financial decline. While Hudson’s Bay’s legacy as Canada’s oldest company will endure, its closure signals the end of an era for traditional department stores in the country.

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