'I didn't think it would get this high': Drivers fume as Ottawa gas prices hit new record high
Ottawa motorists will be fuming at the pumps today, as gas prices hit a new record high.
And an industry analyst warns prices are set to climb even higher this coming week in Ottawa and across Ontario.
"We could be looking at $2.20 at some point this time next week," Canadians for Affordable Energy President Dan McTeague told CTV News on Saturday, adding there was an increase in after-hours trading on Friday that will be reflected in prices at the pumps this week.
"I think $2.35 is what I'm going to see happening on many occasions this summer."
Prices jumped three cents a litre overnight to 214.9 cents a litre at Ottawa stations. The increase follows a five cent a litre hike on Friday and a three cents hike on Saturday
"The gas is changing our life, the price is very frustrating," delivery driver Thierno Mamoudou Diallo said on Friday, adding the price of fuel is forcing him to work less.
"I'm just going to stop doing delivery because I can't continue doing delivery full day. The amount I used to have just keeps going down and if the gas keeps going up, I can't work anymore."
The sky-high fuel costs are driving up the cost of food and other items.
"Diesel costs, energy costs are becoming a factor," said Sylvain Charlebois – Director of Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University. "It's one of many contributing to our food inflation rate."
Gas prices have been rising significantly this spring due to supply shortages, fuelled by sanctions against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine. The summer driving season is also leading to price hikes.
McTeague says "one positive" for drivers could be the Progressive Conservatives campaign promise to cut fuel taxes. Premier Doug Ford and the PC Party promised to temporarily reduce the gas tax by 5.7 cents a litre for six months, starting July 1.
According to ottawagasprices.com, the average price for gas in Ottawa was $1.25 in June 2021.
"I didn't think it would get this high, so it's very surprising to me," said one driver on Saturday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Western University researchers unlock potential 'cure' for ALS
New research out of London, Ont.'s Western University is shedding light on a potential cure for ALS, in which the targeting of the interaction between two proteins can halt or fully reverse the disease's progression.
Police release 3D images of young child found in an Ontario river two years ago
Police have released a three-dimensional image of a young child whose remains were discovered in the Grand River in Dunnville, Ont. almost two years ago.
B.C. brings in law on name changes on day that child killer's new identity revealed
The BC NDP have tabled legislation aimed at stopping people who have committed certain heinous acts from changing their names.
Kamala Harris drops F-bomb during White House live-stream
U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris used a profanity on Monday while offering advice to young Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders about how to break through barriers.
B.C. man fighting for refund after finding someone living at Whistler vacation rental
Edwin Mostered spent thousands of dollars booking a vacation home in Whistler, B.C., for a group skiing trip earlier this year – or so he thought.
Avs forward Valeri Nichushkin suspended at least six months
Colorado Avalanche forward Valeri Nichushkin was suspended for at least six months without pay and placed in Stage 3 of the league's player assistance program.
Collapsed Baltimore bridge span comes down with a boom after crews set off chain of explosives
Crews conducted a controlled demolition Monday to break down the largest remaining span of the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore.
Security video caught admitted serial killer disposing of bodies in Winnipeg garbage bins
Security video caught admitted serial killer Jeremy Skibicki on multiple late-night outings, disposing of body parts in nearby garbage bins and dumpsters in the middle of the night.
Mortgage companies could intensify the next recession, U.S. officials warn
U.S. officials worry the next recession could be intensified by a cascading series of failures in the mortgage industry caused by crashing home prices, frozen financial markets and soaring delinquencies.