CanadaApr 04, 2025
Metro Vancouver Gas Prices Expected to Drop Significantly Soon
Gas prices in Metro Vancouver have risen again to $1.80 per litre at the pumps. This increase follows the provincial government's decision on Tuesday to remove the 17-cent carbon tax on gasoline. The rise in prices is being attributed to a fire at a refinery in California, which has disrupted West Coast supplies.
However, GasBuddy analyst Patrick De Haan predicts that gas prices may decrease early next week or even as soon as this weekend. The ongoing trade tensions, particularly due to concerns over Trump's trade war, have raised fears of a potential recession, leading to a decline in crude
CanadaApr 04, 2025
Stock Markets Plunge Amid Trump's Tariffs; Oil and Gold Prices Drop
The Canadian and American stock markets have experienced a sharp decline for the second consecutive day due to President Trump's tariffs. The S&P/TSX Composite Index of the Toronto Stock Exchange fell by more than 1,000 points, or 4.16 percent. On Thursday, the Canadian market closed down 3.8 percent, marking the largest drop since June 2020 during the COVID-19 period.
At the same time, the leading index of the American stock market, the Dow Jones, fell by more than 1,900 points during trading today. However, some recovery was seen later from this low point. Meanwhile, crude oil prices dr
CanadaApr 04, 2025
US Urges NATO Allies to Boost Defense Spending to 5% of GDP
While the trade war between Canada and the US threatens to slow down the economy, the Trump administration has urged Canada and other NATO countries to increase defense spending to 5 percent of their GDP. This request was made during a meeting held in Brussels on Thursday.
Canada's Foreign Minister Melanie Joly attended the meeting. She pointed out that the US itself does not meet that target. Meanwhile, during the election campaign in Quebec, when journalists asked Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre whether the US had urged NATO members to increase defense spending to 5 percent of GDP, he
BCApr 04, 2025
Premier David Eby Meets Forestry Leaders to Address Potential U.S. Tariffs on B.C. Lumber
Premier David Eby is meeting with forestry leaders in Prince George today to discuss strategies to protect British Columbia's largest export industry from potential tariffs. Eby has raised concerns that President Donald Trump may impose additional tariffs on top of the existing 14.5 percent duty on B.C. softwood lumber.
B.C.'s forestry sector is a critical component of the province's economy, contributing $17.4 billion to the GDP and providing thousands of jobs. The U.S. has long accused B.C. of subsidizing its lumber industry.
According to the Business Council of B.C., if Trump imposes an ad
CanadaApr 04, 2025
Brazil to Require Visas for Canadian Tourists Starting April 10
Canadian tourists will now need a visa to visit Brazil, with the new requirement taking effect on April 10. Canadian passport holders must obtain a visa for stays of up to 90 days for tourism purposes.
However, visas are not required for stays of up to 90 days for business or student purposes. This policy change will also apply to travelers from the United States and Australia.
According to VFS, the company authorized by the Brazilian government to issue e-visas, travelers who already have a valid physical visa in their passport for the purpose of their trip do not need to apply for a new one
CanadaApr 04, 2025
Sharp Job Loss Hits Canadian Economy in March
The Canadian economy experienced its largest job loss since 2022 in March. Statistics Canada reported on Friday that 33,000 jobs were lost last month, causing the unemployment rate to rise by 0.1 percentage point to 6.7 per cent.
The report noted that uncertainty over tariffs has impacted new hiring and triggered some layoffs. The most significant drop in employment occurred in the private sector. Most economists had anticipated signs of weakness in the job market in March, as companies delayed investment and hiring amid ongoing tariff concerns.
According to Statistics Canada, a total of 1.5
CanadaApr 03, 2025
Quebec government tables bill to combat election disinformation and interference
The Quebec government has introduced a bill to preserve the integrity of the electoral process by tackling deliberate disinformation and election interference.
The bill tabled today by the province's minister for democratic institutions would make it an offence to knowingly spread false information to influence or disturb an election or compromise the public’s trust in the electoral process.
Jean-François Roberge says it would also be an offence to falsely represent the chief electoral officer or a candidate in order to mislead the public.
Roberge says examples of false representations incl
CanadaApr 03, 2025
Poilievre Pledges to Scrap GST on Canadian-Made Vehicles
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has pledged to eliminate the GST on Canadian-made cars and light trucks if elected. He stated that this measure would save Canadians up to $2,500 on vehicles priced at $50,000 or less, while also boosting demand for domestic automobiles and protecting auto industry jobs.
During a campaign stop in Kingston, Ontario, Poilievre urged provincial premiers to cut provincial taxes by the same amount, which could result in total savings of up to $7,000 per vehicle for consumers.
CanadaApr 03, 2025
US Tariff Policy: Countries Affected and Exemptions
US President Donald Trump has targeted several countries with reciprocal tariffs ranging from 10% to 50%. However, some nations, including Russia, North Korea, Cuba, and Belarus, have been left off the list.
This decision has led many to question why major trading partners like India, the European Union, and Vietnam have been hit with heavy tariffs while these countries were not.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent explained that Russia and North Korea were excluded because the US does not trade with them due to sanctions. He also noted that Canada and Mexico were not included in the new tari