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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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Rising CRA Scrutiny: Four Audit Hot Spots Canadians Should Watch



Canadian taxpayers and business owners are facing a period of heightened enforcement as the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) expands its audit activity. Recent shifts show a clear pattern: the CRA is leaning more heavily on data matching, AI‑driven analytics, and strengthened legislative powers to identify inconsistencies and pursue non‑compliance. Four areas, in particular, are drawing increased attention.

1. Inconsistent Revenue Reporting

The CRA is closely comparing GST/HST filings with corporate income tax returns, and mismatches are one of the fastest triggers for an audit. When sales reported for GST/HST don’t align with income tax filings, the CRA flags the discrepancy for review. 

2. Expense Claims That Don’t Match Business Activity

Expense claims that appear unusually high relative to revenue are under sharper scrutiny. The CRA is using benchmarking tools to compare businesses within the same industry, making outlier claims more visible than ever. 

3. Capital Gains Reporting

Even though proposed changes to the capital gains inclusion rate were cancelled, the CRA has significantly increased enforcement around capital gains reporting. This includes verifying the accuracy of reported dispositions, adjusted cost bases, and compliance with the 50% inclusion rate. 

4. International and Cryptocurrency Holdings

Expanded audit powers now give the CRA more tools to verify offshore assets, foreign income, and cryptocurrency transactions. These areas are a priority as new legislative proposals strengthen the CRA’s ability to demand information and penalize non‑cooperation. 

Why This Matters

The CRA’s audit posture for 2025–2026 reflects a broader shift toward stronger enforcement, supported by new compliance orders, penalties, and compulsory interview powers. Understanding these high‑risk areas helps taxpayers prepare, correct issues early, and reduce the likelihood of an audit. 


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