Whitehorse residents and travellers react to high gas prices
Gas prices in Whitehorse have climbed almost 30 cents a litre over the past two weeks.
Massive jumps have been reported across the country in the same timeframe.
“I still remember when gas was $39.99 when I was young [and] living in Saskatchewan,” said Shannon Leddy, who was visiting Whitehorse last week for the Arctic Winter Games.
Prices have skyrocketed recently as a result of the escalating conflict between the United States and Israel and Iran.
Iran has blocked the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world’s daily supply of oil normally passes. Oil prices are rising as a result, and gas prices are rising in turn.
In his first statement as Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamanei vowed to keep blocking the strait.
While visiting Whitehorse for the Games, Leddy said she had a bit of envy; gas prices in British Columbia’s Lower Mainland, where she now lives, jumped to over two dollars a litre, she said, compared a $1.76 a litre in Whitehorse on Thursday when she spoke with CBC News.
“Everyone being squeezed tighter and tighter does not help at all,” Leddy said.
Another Games traveller said he’s also feeling the pinch.
“We drove from Alaska, so it was a big cost for us to drive all the way from Alaska,” said Zachary Pickett, who said it’s eating into his family’s budget.
“[We] can’t buy as much for the kids and food and [you] have to be a lot more careful of what you buy.”
Whitehorse resident Jason Shorty said the rising prices are just another burden in the springtime, when families can least afford it.
“It’s really hard to raise children, and the price of things … just keep going up,” he said.
“There’s no relief, and it just seems to be never-ending.”
Dave Bort said Canada relies “way too much on wind and solar, which doesn’t work much up here in Whitehorse.”
One expert said the longer the strait remains blocked, the more the global economy will be affected.
“Groceries will increase because shipping costs will increase,” said Matt McClain, a petroleum analyst with GasBuddy. “Shipping costs will increase because diesel will increase. Diesel will increase because crude oil is going up.”
McClain said drivers can avoid the price increase by not driving over the posted speed limit in order to not have to fill up as often as usual.
“You’d be surprised at how inefficient your vehicle can get by going just over the speed limit,” he said, adding that having properly-inflated tires, recent oil changes and new air filters will also help.
“Anything that puts stress on your vehicle’s engine during this time will hurt the efficiency of … the vehicles.”
Leddy also offered a tip.
“As much as we can use our own bodies’ energy, we’re probably better off,” she said.
“I’m an avid step counter.”
A report written by TJ Dhir
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: Tarquti Energy, Hydro-Quebec deal important step towards green energy for Nunavik, Inuit leaders say, Eye on the Arctic
Finland: Lapland among regions not in favour of wind power compensation for eastern Finland, Yle News
Norway: Will the green transition be the new economic motor in the Arctic?, Eye on the Arctic
Sweden: Wind farm delays in northern Sweden could hinder green revolution, Radio Sweden
United States: Alaska’s Northwest Arctic Borough gets $2 million tribal energy grant, Alaska Public Media
