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Gas Is Still $1.81 a Litre: Why Pump Prices Won't Fall (and What to Do Before Winter)

  Canadians hoping for relief at the pump got bad news heading into this week: it isn't coming soon. The national average for regular gas was $1.81 a litre on Friday, according to Kalibrate, with provincial averages ranging from $1.557 in Alberta to $2.156 in Newfoundland, per GasBuddy. That's after a big policy move. On Friday the G7 announced plans to release 100 million barrels of oil right away, starting with diesel. Brent crude dipped on the news, then climbed back to about US$102 a barrel by the afternoon. Don't expect the release to show up at your station, because crude is only half the story. Crude oil explains only half your pump price Wood Mackenzie's Jim Mitchell says crude makes up 50 to 60 per cent of the retail price of gas. The rest is the cost of refining it, and that's where the squeeze is. Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem pointed to damaged refining capacity worldwide in a Sept. 21 speech, noting that pump prices reflect crude roughly US$40 a ...
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Putin Rejects Western ‘War Hysteria’ as False Narrative

        Residents walk in front of an apartment building hit by a Russian air strike in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin has dismissed Western claims that nations should prepare for a major war with Russia, calling such warnings “hysteria” and “a lie.” Speaking at a meeting of Russia’s Defense Ministry, Putin argued that the West is exaggerating the threat of conflict while Moscow remains focused on its ongoing military campaign in Ukraine.

Putin insisted that Russia does not seek war with the United States or European states, instead portraying his government as open to “mutual cooperation.” At the same time, he issued a stern warning: if Ukraine and its allies abandon peace talks, Russia will pursue its territorial claims through military means. This statement underscores Moscow’s determination to achieve the objectives of what it continues to call its “special military operation” in Ukraine.

The Russian leader also accused NATO of fueling tensions by supporting Ukraine militarily, while emphasizing that Russian forces are strengthening their capabilities in response. His remarks come amid heightened rhetoric from Western officials, including NATO leaders, who have urged member states to prepare for potential large-scale conflict. Putin dismissed these calls as attempts to stoke fear and justify further military buildup in Europe.

Despite his rejection of Western warnings, Putin’s speech carried a dual message: on one hand, denying that Russia seeks war with the West, and on the other, reaffirming his readiness to use force to secure territory if diplomacy fails. This balancing act reflects the Kremlin’s broader strategy of projecting strength while framing itself as a victim of Western provocation.

In the backdrop of these statements, the European Union continues to debate measures such as seizing Russian assets to support Ukraine, adding further pressure to already strained relations between Moscow and the West.

In summary, Putin’s remarks highlight Russia’s attempt to counter Western narratives of looming war, while simultaneously reinforcing its uncompromising stance on Ukraine.

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