Canada’s annual inflation rate reached 2.6% in February, marking the first time in seven months that it has surpassed the 2% threshold. This increase follows the expiration of the GST exemption for Canadians on February 15. The inflation rate in January had been 1.9%. According to Statistics Canada, the inflation rate for February would have been 3% if the GST exemption had not been in place. This latest figure, coupled with the ongoing trade tensions with the US, may limit the Bank of Canada’s ability to cut interest rates further. StatCan noted that while prices increased across nearly

Prime Minister Mark Carney has breathed new life into the Liberal Party, with a new Ipsos survey revealing that the Liberals have steadily increased their lead over the Conservatives since his arrival. The Ipsos poll indicates that if an election were held tomorrow, the Liberals would secure 42% of voter support, while the Conservatives would receive 36%. Prior to this, the Conservatives had consistently led in Ipsos polling since 2021, but this trend shifted in February of this year. Darrell Bricker, CEO of Ipsos Public Affairs, noted that it now appears the Liberals’ position is strengthe

Economists and market participants are betting that the Bank of Canada will not cut interest rates next month, given the latest inflation data. Money markets are pricing in a 65% chance that the central bank will keep rates steady during its next meeting on April 16. With February's inflation data and the potential for further increases due to tariffs, the Bank of Canada may temporarily pause its rate-cutting cycle in April. Economists at National Bank and Benjamin Reitzes, an economist at BMO Capital Markets, have expressed similar expectations. Reitzes noted that the removal of the carbon t

A union representing more than 4,000 school support workers in Alberta says members have ratified collective agreements with two Fort McMurray school districts Monday, ending a two-month strike. The Canadian Union of Public Employees says workers at both the Fort McMurray Public and Fort McMurray Catholic school districts are set to return to their duties on Wednesday. The union said Saturday it had reached tentative deals with the public and Catholic school boards in Fort McMurray and with the Edmonton Public School Board, noting a ratification by the Edmonton workers would occur Monday o

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has made a serious accusation against Prime Minister Mark Carney, claiming that Carney has been concealing the consumer carbon tax to influence the election. Poilievre argues that the executive order Carney signed to eliminate the tax is a fake, insisting that it remains in effect and hasn't been removed anywhere. He also warned that it could be reintroduced after the election. During a visit to a steel company in L'Orignal village, Ontario, Poilievre criticized Carney’s plan to increase the carbon tax on Canadian companies, especially in the context of

Alberta Health Services says it has confirmed multiple cases of measles in the Edmonton area. The health authority is warning that public exposure to the highly contagious disease may have occurred at two Edmonton locations last week. AHS says those who attended the Belle Rive Medicentres Family Health Care Clinic in the north end on Wednesday afternoon could have been exposed. Anyone who attended the Stollery Children's Hospital's emergency department late Friday evening may have been exposed as well. AHS says individuals who were potentially exposed and who were born after 1

Canada may soon face an election call, with Mark Carney expected to announce the election before Parliament resumes on March 24. Reports suggest that Carney could make a general election announcement on Wednesday and convene a meeting of premiers later this week. If the Liberals were to lose in a potential snap election, Carney could become Canada's shortest-serving prime minister. Currently, the record for the shortest tenure is held by former Prime Minister Charles Tupper, who served for only 69 days in 1896. If an early election is called, it is expected that Canadians could vote in late A

President Donald Trump said he would speak to Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday as he pushes to end the war in Ukraine. The U.S. leader disclosed the upcoming conversation to reporters while flying from Florida to Washington on Air Force One on Sunday evening. “We will see if we have something to announce maybe by Tuesday. I will be speaking to President Putin on Tuesday,” Trump said. "A lot of work's been done over the weekend. We want to see if we can bring that war to an end.” Although Russia failed in its initial goal to topple Ukraine with its invasion three years ago, it

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre says that he will repeal the entire carbon price law if elected, including on businesses and the industrial charge. On Friday, Prime Minister Mark Carney began the process to end the consumer carbon price on things like gasoline. The order-in-council says the fee will be removed after March 31. Poilievre says that if the Liberals are serious about ending the charge, they would recall Parliament and do it through legislation, in a video posted on social media. To reduce emissions, Poilievre says his government would "expand eligibility" for the clean techno