Prices at the pump continue to rise in Sask.
Saskatchewan residents may have noticed a peak in gas prices over the past week.
Dan McTeague, president of Canada for Affordable Energy said that’s a common trend across the country right now.
“We’re going to move from where we were a few weeks ago $1.40’s to $1.50’s now to the $1.70’s and likely to move up another 5 to 10 cents a litre over the next several days here in Regina and pretty much across the province,” he said.
McTeague said this trend in the prairies is a direct correlation to what is happening in Midwestern America, with two Chicago spot market refineries having issues over the past couple weeks.
“[This] has a direct bearing on the price we pay here in the prairies. Gas prices in the United States and wholesale prices moved up approximately a dollar a gallon, good for about a 37 cent a litre increase, which explains why we’re probably marching to a $1.90 to $1.95 a litre.”
The prices seen in parts of British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Northwestern Ontario up to Thunder Bay are all impacted by the midwest, while places like southern Ontario, Quebec and the Maritimes are impacted by the eastern United States.
Vancouver has it worse though, setting a record high this past weekend of $2.41.9 cents a litre.
The lower mainland and Vancouver Island are influenced by the Pacific Northwest United States where there are shortages, refineries are running into issues, and on top of that, Vancouver has extraordinarily high taxes on fuel.
However, while Alberta currently sits with the lowest prices in the country, McTeague had a warning for the province.
“Alberta is going to have to be careful because they are going to get a significant shock as it is costing most gas stations there $1.66 to buy their fuel. In Edmonton and Calgary, it’s pretty clear $1.56 means they may be in for a 20 cent a litre shock.”
McTeague added that these prices are going to be staying around a while, predicting Wednesday’s increases will be felt at the pumps.
His website, Gas Wizard, reports daily predictions of gas prices throughout the country.
However, some gas stations in Regina are going above and beyond his predictions.
Residents lined up at the discount gas station on Saskatchewan Drive early afternoon on Tuesday, because some Shell locations across the city posted signs of $1.85 a litre.
“I saw that, that’s why I’m here,” Barry Ferguson told CTV News.
The discount station itself saw a jump, though not quite to the same extent.
“It’s crazy because it was $1.58 here this morning and now it's $1.68,” said Ron Sonan.
“It is cheaper than going to a regular service station,” added Ferguson.
Though residents lined up at the pump, those who spoke to CTV said there’s not much that can be done at this time, but that they don’t see a need to take the same approach as Ontario or Alberta with gas tax cuts.
“Well I’m not really sure how much that’s going to help, it’s just a temporary thing anyway. I know they are having troubles with the refineries,” said Albert Biro.
More than the refineries, McTeague stressed that inflation continues to strain the pockets of Canadians, especially since gas is bought in US dollars.
“Because we are no longer the petro dollar, doesn’t matter if you’re in Saskatchewan, or Ontario or Newfoundland, you’re paying an extra 40 cents a litre because the Canadian dollar no longer protects consumers quite the way it used to.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
They were from different countries and barely spoke each other's languages. More than 20 years later, they're still happily in love
He decided to spend Christmas somewhere that wouldn't involve snowstorm disasters. She was spending the holidays with family, travelling for the first time outside of her native country of Venezuela. 23 years later, they're still in love.
Man who set himself on fire outside Trump trial dies of injuries, police say
A man who doused himself in an accelerant and set himself on fire outside the courthouse where former U.S. President Donald Trump is on trial has died, police said.
Verdun Airbnb listing taken down amid complaints, fines and frustration from neighbours
An Airbnb in Montreal's Verdun borough was the source of much frustration from neighbours who say there were constant parties at the location. It has been taken down from the app, but housing advocates remain upset about short-term rentals.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
Fire in Labrador town under control, officials tells residents to stay away
RCMP say the fire that prompted a state of emergency in a Labrador town is now under control.
12 students and teacher killed in Columbine school shooting remembered at 25th anniversary vigil
Thirteen victims of the Columbine High School shooting were remembered during a vigil Friday on the eve of the 25th anniversary of the shooting that was the worst the nation had seen at the time.
Israeli airstrike in southern Gaza city of Rafah kills at least 9 Palestinians, including 6 children
An Israeli airstrike on a house in Gaza's southernmost city killed at least nine people, six of them children, hospital authorities said Saturday, as Israel pursued its nearly seven-month offensive in the besieged Palestinian territory.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
Iraq investigates a blast at a base of Iran-allied militias that killed 1. U.S. denies involvement
Iraqi authorities said Saturday that they were investigating an explosion that struck a base belonging to the Popular Mobilization Forces, a coalition of Iran-allied militias, killing one person and injuring eight.