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Oil Prices Are Spiking — Here's What It Means for Your Gas Tank and Grocery Bill

  Published July 17, 2026 Crude oil is trading near one-month highs this week, and if you've filled up your tank recently, you've probably already felt it. The culprit: an escalating conflict in the Middle East that's disrupting one of the world's most important oil shipping routes — and it's starting to show up at Canadian pumps and, eventually, on grocery store shelves. What's happening with oil prices West Texas Intermediate (WTI), the North American benchmark, has been trading around the $79–$80 per barrel range this week — up roughly 5% over the past month. Brent crude, the global benchmark that matters more for what Canadians pay at the pump, has been hovering near $85 per barrel, also near a one-month high. The spike traces back to renewed fighting between the U.S. and Iran. The U.S. reimposed a naval blockade on Iran and has intensified strikes, while Iran has responded with attacks on U.S. bases and threats to disrupt regional energy shipments further. ...
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Canada’s Federal Minimum Wage Increases: What You Should Know

 

Canada’s federal minimum wage has taken a significant leap today, rising from $16.65 to $17.30 per hour. This adjustment reflects the 3.9% increase in Canada’s annual average Consumer Price Index for 2023 and is aligned with inflation.

For many Canadian workers, this wage hike is a welcome change. It means that approximately 30,000 employees in the federally regulated private sector will benefit from this raise. Whether you’re working part-time, temporarily, or in a low-wage job, this increase aims to provide a real and fair chance at success.

Employers must adjust their payroll information accordingly to ensure that all employees, including interns, receive the correct hourly wage starting today. If the provincial or territorial minimum wage rate exceeds the federal rate, employers must pay the higher of the two. So, businesses across Canada need to stay informed and comply with these new wage standards.

While some may argue that it’s not enough, this increase is a step toward creating a more equitable workforce. The Government of Canada is committed to ensuring that federally regulated workplaces are fair, inclusive, and safe. Initiatives like the Pay Equity Act, job protections for gig workers, and reporting salary data contribute to this ongoing effort.

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