Lower Canadian dollar results in skyrocketing gas prices

Saskatchewan residents should get used to paying more when they need to fill up their gas tanks.

Gas prices shot up by 10 cents per litre around the province Friday to $1.48 per litre in both Saskatoon and Regina.

Saskatchewan isn’t alone in the fight. Dan McTeague, the president of Canadians for Affordable Energy, says the majority of the country is being affected.

“(It’s) going to be increasing Canada’s all-time record prices and here we are,” McTeague said. “We’re not through this yet. Prices are moving whether we like it or not.”

Vancouver is seeing a high of $1.70 per litre while Toronto is currently at $1.57 per litre.

McTeague says he saw this coming a mile away and confirms it could have been avoided.

“You have a weak Canadian dollar because we’re not selling enough of our No. 1 exports like oil and gas,” he said. “That’s why our Canadian dollar is so weak and it drives up the price of everything, including food.”

McTeague explains the carbon tax across most of Canada makes a difference for everyday citizens.

“The same policy that is blocking pipelines is the (Liberal government’s) climate agenda (and it) is also adding significant taxes to the price of fuel,” he said.

Prices aren’t going to be slowing down anytime soon. McTeague predicts the average price of gas in the country will stand at $1.65 per litre by the May long weekend.