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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 Border Anxiety: Social Media Ads for Smugglers Flourish

As border anxiety continues to mount, a concerning trend has emerged on social media platforms like TikTok and Facebook: advertisements for smugglers offering illegal crossings from Canada into the United States. These ads, often targeting vulnerable migrants, promise safe passage for a hefty fee, despite the inherent dangers and legal consequences.

Recent investigations have revealed that smugglers are using social media to solicit migrants, particularly from Indian temporary residents in Canada, with promises of "safe" and "easy" crossings. These offers have become increasingly common, with some accounts boasting hundreds of thousands of followers. The U.S. Border Patrol has reported a record number of encounters with migrants at the Canadian border, highlighting the growing issue.

Authorities warn that these illegal crossings are not only prohibited by Canadian and American laws but also pose significant risks to the migrants involved. Tragic incidents, including drownings and hypothermia, have been reported along the northern border. Despite these dangers, the lucrative nature of human smuggling continues to attract organized crime networks.

Efforts to combat this issue are ongoing, but the widespread use of social media by smugglers makes it a challenging battle. As border anxiety grows, it is crucial for authorities and communities to work together to address the root causes of migration and provide safer alternatives for those seeking a better life.




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