Gas prices taking huge toll on drivers in Saskatchewan

Just days after the price of gas rose significantly in Saskatchewan, it may be going up again — and by a lot.

Dan McTeague, the president of Canadians for Affordable Energy, told Gormley on Monday it’s costing Saskatchewan gas stations $1.64 per litre right now to replace the gasoline they’re selling for $1.58.

“I would expect those prices to go up at least 15 cents a litre sometime between now and Wednesday,” McTeague said. “The fact that retailers are able to hold on is a blessing, but I think at the end of the day, they have no choice but to throw in the towel.”

Some folks in Saskatchewan are fed up with paying an arm and a leg for gas and are looking down other avenues to get around.

Saskatoon’s gas prices moved up once again Monday and stood at $1.68 per litre at certain locations. In Regina, most stations were selling gas for $1.58 per litre.

Dhruv Chauhan, who’s currently studying at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, said he’s going to start taking the bus to get around town.

“I came here in Canada like one year ago and at the time (the price of gas) was like 90 cents or 93 cents a litre,” Chauhan said.

In his spare time, Chauhan works part-time as a delivery driver and says his future in the business may not last long now with gas being so expensive.

“The delivery guys should pay us,” he said. “It’s too much because we cannot afford delivery with the food (is) five (dollars).”

Chauhan says many drivers in the business feel the same way and could outright leave work if companies don’t step up for their employees.

It’s not just delivery drivers, though. Chauhan says he sees plenty of people struggling, whether it’s trying to fill up the gas tank or shopping for weekly groceries.

“The government should do something,” he said. “The prices right now with the groceries and all the fuel prices … it’s too much.”

The Alberta government took steps to help consumers Monday, when it announced it will stop collecting its fuel tax.

The provincial gas tax of 13 cents per litre for gasoline and diesel won’t be collected as long as the cost of West Texas Intermediate remains above $90 US per barrel. On Monday, WTI was around $120 US per barrel.

When the price of WTI falls below $80 US per barrel, Alberta’s gas tax will return.

That province also is offering a $150 retroactive rebate for most families and small businesses on their energy bills from last winter.

— With files from The Canadian Press