Cost of Living

The war in Iran and the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz have interrupted critical oil supply chains. Now gas prices are rising. Energy analyst Rory Johnston, who writes the Substack Commodity Context, explains what an oil shock could mean for the Canadian economy, and what might happen next.

Some services, like barbering and childcare, cost way more than they did in the past and keep going up in price. On the other hand, a lot of manufactured goods, like TV's, have become less expensive. And the "Baumol effect" could explain why. Plus, we look at the rise of extra spicy foods on restaurant menus and what's at stake as cargo ships sit idle near the Strait of Hormuz.

As Iran counter attacks by targeting energy infrastructure in neighbouring countries and threatening to shut off access to the Strait of Hormuz, we explore how Canada moves forward in a global economy dealing with even more chaos and uncertainty. Paul Haavardsrud talks to Stephanie Carvin, a professor of International Affairs at Carleton University.

Roughly a quarter of the world's oil supply is at risk as the biggest military strike in decades unfolds in the Middle East. Rory Johnston is a geopolitical analyst who writes the Substack Commodity Context. He talks to Paul Haavardsrud about how this conflict play out for Canadian crude and the global economy.

It may feel like there’s an affordability crisis but is it really all that bad? Also, we explain why more Canadian women are getting financially lit and look into the idea of a mandatory national service for young folk.