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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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Wall Street Futures Slip as Strong Jobs Data Clouds Rate Outlook

U.S. stock futures traded cautiously on Tuesday as investors digested a delayed November jobs report that showed stronger-than-expected payroll growth but a simultaneous uptick in the unemployment rate. The mixed signals left markets wavering, with traders weighing the implications for Federal Reserve policy heading into 2026.

Market Snapshot

  • Dow Jones Industrial Average futures fell about 72 points, or 0.2%.
  • S&P 500 futures slipped 0.3%.
  • Nasdaq futures dropped 0.4%, reflecting continued weakness in technology shares.

Jobs Report Impact
The employment data revealed that hiring remained resilient, beating consensus forecasts. However, the unemployment rate edged higher, suggesting that while demand for labor persists, cracks are appearing in the broader job market. This dual outcome complicates the Federal Reserve’s path: stronger payrolls argue against aggressive rate cuts, while rising unemployment underscores risks to economic momentum.

Sector Pressure
Technology stocks continued to drag on futures, with AI-linked companies such as Oracle and Broadcom under pressure following disappointing earnings. Broader equity sentiment was also dampened by global trade tensions and investor caution ahead of additional economic releases later this week.

Investor Outlook
Markets remain in “wait-and-see” mode. Traders are reluctant to take big positions until more clarity emerges from upcoming inflation data and the Fed’s policy signals. The jobs report has reinforced the delicate balance between hopes for easing rates and fears of a slowing economy.


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