Gas prices on the way up again
The shock of Wednesday’s $0.10 increase is expected to carry over to Thursday, according to Dan McTeague, president of Canadians for Affordable Energy.
“Over two months since we've seen prices pushing up towards $1.68.9 which is what you're going to see at a lot of stations this time tomorrow,” said McTeague who adds this is the highest we’ve paid at the pump since Aug. 4.
McTeague says the increase has nothing to do with the upcoming long weekend. He points to today’s announcement by OPEC to cut oil production by two million barrels a day as a contributing factor.
He says a major deficit would normally be met by an increase in supply by North American governments.
“Unfortunately you don't have pipelines. You don't have the infrastructure,” McTeague said. “We have an attitude of divestment towards the oil and gas sector on a scale that is frankly incomprehensible.”
And that attitude is causing grief. People are cutting back while others cancel gas guzzling trips. “We wanna keep our costs in line,” said Kevin Kalaydjian, owner of Capri Pizzeria who is feeling the pinch in more ways than one.
“The suppliers (are)putting fuel surcharges on our bills and then now the gas prices for our drivers and just frankly for us too, picking up product or just driving home. It's tough.”
Sandra Crabb, who was in town to visit family, is paying more to fill her tank for the return trip home to Newcastle, Ont.
“Am I upset? Definitely,” said Crabb. “The prices are, it's outrageous. I have no idea why prices are going up like this. There's no reason for this.”
The price hike has far reaching impacts in our community, especially sectors that rely on volunteer drivers.
“A lot of our volunteers are calling in saying they can't make it anymore because of the gas prices. For them that makes a difference for their budget,” said Ali Bazzi who is food rescue manager for the UHC Hub of Opportunities. “The cost will hurt our operation.”
Marina Vadori used to visit the UHC Hub multiple times a week to supply the food bank at Immaculate Heart Parish. Those trips have been cut to one visit per week.
“We used to have home delivery. All by volunteers. They're not paid. We don't pay for the gas. We've stopped that as of October 1st,” said Vadori. “Fixed budget. You can't stop going places but you have to coordinate where you go.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
DEVELOPING Israel says Hamas deal is 'far' from meeting its demands as Rafah offensive looms
Israel said the terms of a ceasefire deal Hamas accepted on Monday remained 'far from' meeting its demands and warned its military operations in Rafah would continue, even as it sent negotiators to talk to mediators.
2024 Met Gala: Everything to know about fashion's annual soiree
Fashion's biggest night out — hosted at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York each year on the first Monday of May — is both a forever-evolving spectacle and a carefully crafted event.
Concern over speeding in Fredericton neighbourhood grows after 2 teens, young adult killed in crash
Three people – including two teens – are dead, and two others are injured after a crash that has left a greater Fredericton community shaken.