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Ottawa's Parliament Hill, where the Carney government is rolling out Canada's largest fiscal stimulus package since 1980. / Photo: Unsplash. MoneySavings.ca  ·  Economy & Policy Monday, April 13, 2026  ·  Daily Edition Canada at a crossroads: oil shock, frozen rates, and a trade deal on the clock Canada's economy is navigating a uniquely complicated moment in 2026. A Middle East conflict has sent oil prices surging past US$104 a barrel, a once-in-a-generation fiscal stimulus package is being rolled out in Ottawa, and the clock is ticking on a renegotiation of Canada's most important trade agreement. For everyday Canadians, this means uncertainty at the gas pump, a central bank with limited room to cut rates, and a federal government betting big on public spending to kick-start growth. Here is what you need to know about the forces shaping the Canadian economy right now. 1. The Bank of Canada is stuck — and oil is why The Bank of Canada has held it...
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Iran’s Informal Hormuz Transit Fees Stir Global Shipping Concerns

                                           A cargo vessel near the Strait of Hormuz, on March 22 


Iran has begun informally charging some commercial vessels transit fees—reportedly up to $2 million per voyage—for safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical maritime energy corridors. 

A Brief Overview

  • Ad hoc fees: Payments are being requested on a case‑by‑case basis, with no standardized mechanism or clear currency guidelines. 
  • Global impact: The strait normally carries about one‑fifth of global oil and gas shipments, making any disruption or added cost a significant concern for energy markets. 
  • Political tension: The move comes amid heightened regional conflict, with Iran signaling interest in formalizing these charges as part of a broader postwar settlement. 
  • International pushback: Countries such as India argue that international law guarantees free navigation and that no nation can impose unilateral fees on this strategic waterway. 

Why It Matters

The uncertainty surrounding who will be charged and how much adds friction to an already tense shipping environment. With only limited vessels currently transiting the strait—many of them Iran‑linked—the informal toll raises concerns about sovereignty, precedent, and the potential weaponization of a vital global trade route. 


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