The average price of gasoline continues to reach record highs in Canada over the weekend.
In Vancouver, the price could even reach $2.34 per litre.
According to data from the GasBuddy website, the average price of regular gasoline was $1.95 per liter on Saturday afternoon. It soared to 2.15 in Newfoundland and Labrador and 2.11 in British Columbia.
The Gas Wizard website predicts further increases in many Canadian cities as of Sunday. Thus, the price of gasoline could reach $2.34 per liter at the pump.
Montreal could see an increase of four cents, to $2.15 per litre. The price could rise to $2.09 a liter in Toronto, up six cents.
Edmonton still has the lowest price in the country at $1.70.
“These crazy prices are probably unaffordable for most Canadians on fixed incomes or in the middle class,” said Dan McTeague, the group’s president. Canadians for Affordable Energy. It is fair to say that those most affected are not those who drive for pleasure, but those who use the car to get to work. And it will be like that for a long time. »
Several experts attribute this escalation in gasoline prices to the destabilization of markets caused by the Russian attack on Ukraine and the global increase in demand following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mr. McTeague acknowledges that these factors played a role in this increase, but he blames the supply problems that already existed before the war in Ukraine. The conflict has only exacerbated the situation.
It recommends a temporary suspension of the carbon tax. According to him, the federal government should offer an immediate rebate on fuels, noting that the higher prices at the same time increase the federal GST.
“The government is making money with a vengeance. It would be wise for him to consider some kind of rebate, or ease the bill through perhaps a reduction in the GST, help for those on fixed incomes and for those for whom the end of the month is difficult, ”underlines the former federal elected official.
British Columbia Premier John Horgan said Friday that a tax cut will be a “short-sighted” solution that would provide “little relief.” He says he asked the Minister of Finance “to put in place a series of measures because this is not a short-term problem”.
He also encouraged the population to reduce their travel costs as much as possible.