Gas prices: It’s a sore spot with drivers across Canada and certainly right here in Northumberland County.
The price of a litre of gas has climbed to historic highs since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Gas prices are at never-before-seen levels in Brighton gas stations, including 184.9/litre at the Mobil Station attached to the No Frills on Elizabeth Street and 185.9/litre at the Shell station at the junction of Hwys 401 and 30 on Tuesday afternoon.
And, prices may not be done climbing yet. According to media reports, gas is expected to vault another 10 cents on Thursday to 1.95/litre.
We talked to people on Main Street in Brighton and they’re already weary of having to cough up more money to gas up their vehicles.
Sandra See, when asked her opinion of soaring gas prices, noted Canada hasn’t managed its petroleum industry well.
“I think that it’s sad having to experience this, that we have such resources in our own country that we’re not tapping into that could create jobs for our citizens of Canada. I just find it all very sad. I don’t think we’re approaching it the right way to have a profitable future,” she said.
See noted she currently isn’t commuting to work, but she’s worried high gas prices will affect her ability to travel in her leisure time.
“I’m lucky enough not to have to be commuting to work, so I guess it’s recreational that’s affecting me and it’s that’s a little hard to swallow right now. I’m just kind of acquiring my freedom and I’m having restrictions put on it already just because of the price of not being able to travel. By restrictions I mean in my own personal life, where I’m at in my career and reducing the number of hours at work and put it toward more of a leisure lifestyle,” she said.
Ron Burkill said the high prices for gas will lead to higher prices for just about every consumer good. He said it’s unsustainable.
“I don’t know what to say, it’s terrible. It’s gonna be $2 a litre before too long and how is anybody going to be able to afford that? It’s going to affect transportation, it’s going to affect airlines, it’s going to affect everything. I think it’s a serious problem we’re looking at.”
Burkill said he’s fortunate in that he’s retired, and doesn’t do a lot of driving.
“I don’t have to travel too far because I’m retired. I still drive, but you have to suck it up and pay it that’s all, you have no choice. Hopefully it will go down but they say it’s going to stay fairly high for a while,” added Burkill.
Ben Chopra noted that all consumer goods will rise in tandem with the price of gas — all of which isn’t good for Canadians.
“This is not good for the Canadian people…it’s a very hard time for people,” he said.
Brian Devlin said he is perplexed as to why gas prices have shot up to such a degree.
“It’s unbelievable and I don’t understanding why they go up regardless of how many interviews I hear on the television and on the news. I don’t understand it, particularly in a country that produces oil,” he said.
He noted he’s resigned to paying the price at the pumps as there is no way around it — if you’re going to use your vehicle, you’ve got to put gas in it.
“I’m forced to pay for it because I can put nothing else in my car. It has to be gas and at the end of the day you have to pull up to the pumps and pay whatever they’re asking, unfortunately,” said Devlin.
Fred Chard said soaring prices at the pump has gotten out of hand, and rues the fact that it will affect camping in the area this year.
“They’re way too high. They should never be this high and I don’t know how we’re going to stop it. It’s going to really affect the camping season.”
Chard said going for drives used to be part of his normal routine, but not anymore.
“We’re not going out as much as we normally do. We don’t go out for drives anymore, we go out once a week and that’s it,” said Chard.
Barbara Stevenson said although she’s unhappy that gas prices have gone berserk, she’s relieved to have a small, fuel-efficient car, which has been a big help.
“I’m not happy with it. They’re just crazy. Saw them at 1.80.9/litre yesterday. It’s pretty terrible. We’re lucky we have a small car,” she said.
(Written by: Alan Rivett)
