Gas price hike expected in Manitoba
Come the weekend, Manitobans will be paying more for gas and the price could climb even higher in the coming weeks and months according to a gas expert.
Dan McTeague, who is the president of Canadians for Affordable Energy and also runs the gas prediction website GasWizard.ca, said the updated carbon tax will kick into effect on April 1, which will impact the price at the pump.
"One thing we cannot escape is the 3.26 cent plus GST increase that comes on April Fool's Day, that is the federal government carbon tax. That's for gasoline," said McTeague. "Diesel will go up by 4.01 cents, so with GST, about 4.2 cents a litre."
With the carbon tax jump, McTeague said Manitobans can expect to pay around 155.9 cents per litre starting Saturday and unfortunately, that number could jump more in the near future.
McTeague said by the middle of April, gas could climb by another four or five cents as a new blend of gas gets used.
"We switch from winter blends of gasoline to summer blends of gasoline. That's a thing," said McTeague. "In the winter, we are using butane as one of the elements within gasoline. Works great when it's cold, it ignites very quickly, but you don't want that happening (in the summer) for environmental reasons and, of course, sensitivities to the emissions systems on most vehicles."
He said in the summer, the blend uses alkylates, which he says cost around four to five cents more than butane.
McTeague said this will mean the price of gas will be around the 160 cents per litre mark by mid-April.
When looking ahead to summer, he said people shouldn't anticipate the price coming down at all, as he thinks prices will hover between the 160 to 175 cents per litre range.
"It won't be like last year where we were testing the $2 a litre range, 190. But we will be within 15 to 20 cents of that and that still means it's going to be a very expensive summer for many. So take advantage of these prices, they may seem high right now, but they're likely to get permanently, at least until September, much higher."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
opinion I've been a criminal attorney for decades. Here's what I think about the case against Trump
Joey Jackson, a criminal defence attorney and a legal analyst for CNN, outlines what he thinks about the criminal case against Donald Trump in the 'hush money trial.'
$3.8M home in B.C.'s Okanagan has steel shell for extra wildfire protection
A home in B.C.'s Okanagan that features a weathering steel shell designed to provide some protection against wildfires has been listed for sale at $3.8 million.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Mystery surrounds giant custom Canucks jerseys worn by Lions Gate Bridge statues
The giant stone statues guarding the Lions Gate Bridge have been dressed in custom Vancouver Canucks jerseys as the NHL playoffs get underway.
Celebrity designer sentenced to 18 months in prison for smuggling crocodile handbags
A leading fashion designer whose accessories were used by celebrities from Britney Spears to the cast of the 'Sex and the City' TV series was sentenced Monday to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty in Miami federal court on charges of smuggling crocodile handbags from her native Colombia.
Wildfire leads to evacuation order issued for northeast Alberta community
An evacuation order was issued on Monday afternoon for homes in the area of Cold Lake First Nation.