Alberta drivers woke up to painful news at the fuel pump Wednesday morning, with gasoline prices jumping as much as 30 cents per litre overnight in some regions — a jolt that has motorists questioning whether relief is on the horizon.
In Calgary, the cheapest available fuel sat just under $1.60 per litre Wednesday, but at numerous stations, prices had spiked to approximately $1.87 per litre. Edmonton saw similar volatility, with the low hovering around $1.50 while other stations climbed to $1.85 per litre — dramatic swings that caught commuters off guard.
"Fuel is outrageous right now. It's a little bit uncontrollable," said Edmonton driver Francois Saad while filling his SUV. "I drive a pretty old car, but yeah, it's about $140 to $160 to fill up at least 50 to 60 litres."
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The spike is particularly frustrating given the federal government's 10-cent excise tax cut on gasoline, which took effect April 20 — a measure intended to ease the burden on Canadian drivers.
Global Supply Disruption Blamed for Price Surge
Industry analysts say the dramatic price movements reflect deeper problems in global energy markets. Richard Masson, former CEO of the Alberta Petroleum Marketing Commission, pointed to geopolitical tensions affecting crude oil supply and refining capacity.
"What's going on is the Strait of Hormuz has not been opened, and so global supply remains low. A number of refineries that normally we'd be producing got damaged, and the kinds of oil that are getting to refineries don't fit as well as what happened before the war," Masson explained.
He added that the mismatch between available crude and refinery specifications means facilities cannot maximize gasoline and diesel output as they normally would.
Why Calgary Pays More Than Edmonton
The price differential between Alberta cities reflects geography and logistics. Edmonton, home to the province's major refineries, sees lower prices at the source. Calgary and other markets must absorb the cost of transporting refined products via pipeline or truck — expenses that get passed to consumers at the pump.
The situation has prompted many Albertans to consider alternatives. Lisa Gaffney, filling up at an Edmonton station, expressed frustration but optimism about electric vehicles.
"I'd like to be able to afford an EV. I think it'll be good when we get to using more EVs and having more EV chargers around and not reliant on gas quite so much," she said.
Thomas Helm echoed the sentiment, saying his household had been considering an EV purchase for some time — but Wednesday's price shock accelerated the timeline.
"We're already at the point of looking at an EV," Helm noted. "It has kind of been in the background, but now it's like we should really get one."
As global supply constraints persist, analysts warn that elevated fuel prices may represent the new normal rather than a temporary spike, leaving Alberta motorists to adapt their driving habits and vehicle choices in response.
This article is based on reporting by Chad Twair for Global Calgary.