Gas prices surged across Canada this week, pushing the national average to its highest level of the past year and leaving drivers bracing for another costly weekend at the pumps.
CAA reported Canada’s average gasoline price at 184.7 cents per litre on Friday, May 1, up from 180.0 cents a day earlier, 168.3 cents a week earlier and 132.9 cents a year ago. The same CAA data shows May 1 marked the highest national average recorded in the past month and the past year.
The latest jump comes as several regions report sharp increases. In Ottawa, En-Pro told CityNews prices were expected to hold at an average of 186.9 cents per litre on Saturday, May 2, after rising seven cents on May 1 and three cents on April 30.
In Ontario’s Hamilton-Niagara region, CHCH reported drivers were warned to fill up before an expected eight-cent-per-litre increase on May 1. The report cited GasBuddy figures showing Canada’s average price near $1.81 per litre Thursday morning, up 2.9 cents from the previous day and 46.4 cents higher than the same period last year.
The price shock has spread beyond Ontario. In Alberta, Global News reported Edmonton stations jumped overnight to as high as 184.9 cents per litre, while some Calgary stations rose more than 30 cents overnight to about 186.9 cents per litre.
Analysts have linked the spike to global oil market instability, including concerns over supply disruptions and volatility tied to the Strait of Hormuz. CHCH reported Brent crude briefly climbed past US$126 a barrel before easing slightly.
For ride-share drivers, the increase cuts directly into take-home pay.
“Every time gas goes up, my earnings go down,” said Gurdeep Singh, an Uber driver in the GTA. “I am still driving the same hours, but after fuel, insurance and car payments, there is less money left for my family. Weekends used to help us make extra income, but now even busy nights feel stressful.”
With summer travel demand approaching, drivers may see little relief unless crude prices stabilize and wholesale fuel costs ease. For many Canadians, the weekend fill-up has become another sign of how quickly global energy shocks hit household budgets.
