Gas prices won't be record breaking, but they will be high this summer
The price of gas is heading upward and it's expected to remain high through the summer, thanks to a number of market forces.
Many drivers fuelling up in Calgary on Tuesday may have seen prices of up to $1.40 per litre for regular gas and, while that's off from the record highs from a year ago, it's still a tough cost for many people to manage.
According to Gas Buddy, the price per litre of regular gas was about $1.66 on March 28, 2022, but that jumped to nearly $1.85 in June 2022.
Industry analysts tell CTV News that part of the reason for this most recent increase is a routine change in what type of gas is supplied to North Americans from U.S. refineries.
Around now, companies shift from a 'winter fuel' mix to a summer type – a gas that typically costs about five cents more per litre.
However, there are other factors to consider, such as the U.S. banking crisis that caused prices to jump by 20 cents in one day.
The federal government is also set to increase its carbon tax on April 1, a move that will increase gas prices even further.
"The other shoe to drop – and there are two of them – will be on April Fools' Day (when) the federal carbon tax increases to 3.5 cents a litre," said Gaswizard.ca's Dan McTeague.
"So many stations, if nothing changes Wednesday, Thursday and Friday – if there's no change in the market, we're still going to get about three and a half to four cents increase – about $1.44 or $1.45 by Saturday."
The other policy will come into effect on July 1, where federal rules will require companies to produce a more eco-friendly product. Those higher costs will also be passed onto customers, McTeague says.
Other factors to consider are a weaker Canadian dollar, which usually increases the price of fuel even before drivers can use it.
(With files from Stephanie Thomas)
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW From yearning for a change to cost of living, why some Canadians have left or may leave the country
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
NEW Capital gains tax change 'shortsighted' and 'sows division' business groups tell Freeland
Forging ahead with increasing Canada's capital gains inclusion rate 'sows division,' and is a 'shortsighted' way to improve the deficit, business groups are warning Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Documents reveal Canada praised Haitian sanctioned over alleged gangland connections
A Canadian diplomat and an RCMP officer heaped praise and gratitude on a sanctioned Haitian businessman that Global Affairs accuses of gangland connections, after he allowed a helicopter airlift of Canadian citizens and police at his luxury golf course last month, emails provided by his lawyers suggest.
Blind Sask. boy heading to international braille competition hopes to increase accessibility for visually impaired
A Saskatchewan boy who qualified for an international braille competition in Los Angeles next month hopes he can inspire change in his home province.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
Minister said 'hundreds' of Canadians might use Gaza visa. More than 7,500 applied.
An immigration lawyer in Toronto says new figures from the federal government show just how 'grudging' Ottawa's efforts have been to rescue Canadians' family members from the war in the Gaza Strip.
Canucks claw out 5-4 comeback win over Oilers in Game 1
Dakota Joshua had a goal and two assists and the Vancouver Canucks scored three third-period goals to claw out a 5-4 comeback victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 1 of their second-round playoff series Wednesday.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.