Gas prices in the Kenora region continue to hit all-time highs skyrocketing 30 cents in the last week.
Some fuel stations in Kenora and Dryden are now selling a litre of regular gasoline for 185.9, up four cents since Monday.
Prices in Sioux Lookout remain unchanged, according to GasBuddy.com.
Kenora resident Mikael Baranyi says he feels bad for businesses that base their company around driving.
“My boss has to pay for the work vehicles, and his own vehicle. It was already $190 dollars to fill his truck and I’m sure it's $240 or $250 now. I just think it’s frustrating for people that have their livelihoods built around traveling,” said Mikael.
He’s added the stress of the now higher than normal gas prices along with other everyday needs will continue to build.
“Food costs are also going to go up. For people on minimum wage that aren't getting paid a lot and if they’re not really getting a raise, it puts a lot of stress on them.”
He concluded by saying the current price of gas has forced him to rethink how many vehicle trips he is making.
Wednesday’s average of 183.3 per litre is the most ever seen in Kenora according to records from GasBuddy.
Prices are on a drastic uptick mainly due to the current situation in Ukraine with Russia invading, and the soaring price of crude oil. On Wednesday (March 9, 2022) West Texas Intermediate was trading at $117.60 per barrel.
Russia is the third-largest fuel exporter around the globe.
A Kenora resident who wishes to remain anonymous says if the situation in Ukraine wasn’t occurring prices wouldn’t be this high.
“Hopefully when this war ends in the next three months depending which way it goes the gas price will go down after summer is over,” he said.
On Tuesday (March 8, 2022), US President Joe Biden banned the import of Russian gas, oil, and energy into the United States, a decision that is expected to have a ripple effect on gas prices around the world.
With spring on the way and COVID-19 restrictions easing, which are bringing a sense of normalcy the high gas prices will prevent those wanting to travel this summer.
“After the two years of being told we can’t travel anyways. It’s frustrating that you just can’t pick up and go.”
Though the Kenora area hasn’t cracked the two-dollar mark a number of cities in British Columbia have.
The most expensive gas price in Canada is listed at 211.4 per litre in Abbotsford, B.C.
B.C. as a province is one of the most expensive for fuel costs as 60 per cent of the top 25 most expensive prices on GasBuddy are in that province.
The cheapest province currently to get fuel is Alberta which represents 76 per cent of the top 25 cheapest gas prices in Canada. The number one cheapest price is in Spruce Grove, AB for 152.9 per litre.
On Tuesday (March 8, 2022) Alberta Premier, Jason Kenney announced some temporary relief will come to Albertans as the 13-cents-per-liter provincial gas tax will be removed.