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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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Enhanced Tracking of Foreign Students Urged by Canadian Criminologist

In a recent statement, Kelly Sundberg, a criminologist and professor at Mount Royal University, emphasized the need for Canada to improve its tracking of foreign students. Sundberg, who has experience in inland immigration enforcement for the Canada Border Services Agency, highlighted the vulnerabilities in the current system that allow for potential exploitation by transnational criminals.

The call for better tracking comes in the wake of an investigation by Indian law enforcement agencies into a scheme involving Canadian colleges and the illegal transportation of international students across the Canada-U.S. border. The investigation revealed evidence of human trafficking linked to the tragic deaths of an Indian family near the Manitoba-Minnesota border in January 2022.

Sundberg suggested that collecting biometric data, such as fingerprints and photos, from non-citizens entering Canada and tying this information to their immigration documents could help address these issues. He also stressed the importance of having a system in place to confirm the departure of temporary residents, including international students.

The federal government and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) have yet to comment on the allegations, which have not been proven in court. However, Sundberg's recommendations have sparked a broader discussion on the need for reforms in Canada's immigration system, especially as the country faces increasing scrutiny over illegal border crossings and asylum claims.

As Canada continues to make significant changes to its immigration policies, including cutbacks on the number of student visas issued, the focus on enhancing tracking mechanisms for foreign students remains a critical priority.




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