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Canada’s Inflation Climbs to 2.4% as Gas Prices Surge to Record High

  Canada’s inflation rate accelerated to 2.4% in March , up from 1.8% in February, as the Iran war triggered the largest monthly gasoline price increase on record . Statistics Canada reported that gas prices surged 21.2% month‑over‑month , a supply‑shock response to Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz and broader Middle East instability.  Energy costs were the dominant driver of March inflation, with overall energy prices rising 3.9% year‑over‑year after a sharp decline the month before. Excluding gasoline, inflation would have eased to 2.2% , highlighting how concentrated the price shock was.  Food inflation offered mixed relief: grocery prices rose 4.4% , while fresh vegetables jumped 7.8% due to difficult growing conditions. Restaurant inflation cooled sharply as last year’s tax‑holiday distortions fell out of the annual comparison.  Economists note that while headline inflation spiked, core measures remained relatively tame , giving the Bank of Canada ro...

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AI Minister Backs Anthropic’s ‘Responsible’ Mythos Rollout as Regulation Tightens

 

Artificial Intelligence Minister Evan Solomon will meet with Anthropic leaders in response to concerns about the company’s new AI model.


Canada’s Artificial Intelligence Minister says Anthropic is taking a “responsible and safety‑first approach” with its newly announced Mythos model family — a comment that comes as governments worldwide race to regulate rapidly advancing AI systems.

According to public statements, the minister highlighted Anthropic’s emphasis on model transparency, safety evaluations, and controlled deployment, noting that these practices align with Canada’s push for clearer AI accountability standards. While the remarks were not tied to any specific policy change, they signal growing government interest in how frontier AI models could affect everything from cybersecurity to labour markets.

For markets, the reaction has been modest but notable. AI‑linked equities — particularly cloud providers and chipmakers — saw small early‑morning gains, reflecting investor confidence that regulatory clarity may ultimately support long‑term adoption rather than hinder it. Analysts say responsible‑AI endorsements from policymakers tend to reduce uncertainty for institutional investors watching the sector closely.

For everyday Canadians, the takeaway is simple: AI oversight is tightening, and companies that demonstrate safety leadership may gain a competitive edge. As AI tools become more embedded in finance, health, and public services, expect more government commentary — and potentially new rules — shaping how these systems roll out.



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