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Canada’s Inflation Cools to 2.2% in October Amid Cheaper Gas and Groceries

  Motorists fuel up at an ONroute gas station near Maple, Ont., on April 1, 2025. Lower gas prices helped bring overall inflation down in October, Statistics Canada says. Canada’s annual inflation rate eased to 2.2% in October , down from 2.4% in September. The slowdown was largely driven by falling gasoline and grocery prices, offering some relief to consumers after months of persistent cost pressures. Key Drivers of the Decline Gasoline prices dropped 4.8% month-over-month , as retailers switched to cheaper winter fuel blends and global crude oil prices fell due to oversupply concerns. Grocery prices fell 0.6% in October , marking the largest monthly decline since September 2020. Annual grocery inflation cooled to 3.4% , down from 4% in September, with lower costs for processed foods and fresh vegetables offsetting higher prices for chicken. Excluding gasoline, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 2.6% year-over-year , showing that underlying inflationary pressures remain....
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U.S. Urges Canada and NATO Allies to Meet 2% Defense Spending Target


The upcoming NATO Summit in Washington is set to address a pressing issue: defense spending commitments among member nations. While most allies have made strides toward meeting the 2% of GDP target, Canada remains an outlier. In this article, we explore the challenges faced by Canada and the potential consequences of failing to step up its defense investment.

Canada’s Lagging Commitment

Canada, one of NATO’s founding members, pledged in 2014 to allocate 2% of its GDP to defense spending. However, it has consistently fallen short of this goal. Unlike many other NATO countries, Canada has not only missed the 2% benchmark but also failed to allocate 20% of that spending to new equipment. This stance has frustrated allies across the board.

Allies’ Frustration

Diplomats from various NATO countries express their frustration with Canada’s lack of urgency. Despite its strong economy and historical alliance with the U.S., Canada has not prioritized defense spending. European allies, who face criticism for their own efforts, feel that Canada escapes similar pressure from Washington.

Potential Consequences

As the NATO Summit approaches, allies are expected to press Ottawa to fulfill its commitment. Failure to do so could have serious implications. Moreover, concerns arise about the potential return of Donald Trump to the White House, which might exacerbate the situation.

Conclusion

Canada’s diplomatic standing and military readiness are at stake. The NATO Summit serves as a crucial moment for Canada to address its defense spending shortfall and demonstrate its commitment to collective security.


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