Â鶹´«Ã½

Skip to main content

Higher gas prices in Canada expected after Russian attack on Ukraine: expert

Share

Canadians can expect even higher prices at the pumps following Russia's attack on Ukraine, one expert tells CTVNews.ca.

"Russia's invasion of Ukraine will have obvious effects on the price of oil and gas, as these two markets are also connected," Werner Antweiler, director of the Sauder School of Business Prediction Markets at the University of British Columbia, said in an email.

Energy economists, he said, expect the war in Ukraine to unsettle markets and raise crude prices well into the range of between US$100 and $120 per barrel.

Russia's attack on Thursday sent shockwaves through the markets, with Moscow's stock exchange suspending trading briefly before experiencing serious losses.

Russia is the world's third largest producer of oil, accounting for .

Antweiler pointed to the price of oil benchmarks Brent crude, which topped US$100 per barrel, and West Texas Intermediate, which traded at about US$96.50 earlier Thursday morning.

"These prices will get passed on to consumers. Every one U.S. dollar increase in the crude price will translate into at least a 0.55-cent increase at the pump, if the Canadian dollar rises along with the price of oil," he said.

"That hasn't been the case lately for a number of reasons, and thus the passthrough will be larger."

This means in Canada, a one U.S. dollar increase in crude oil will translate to about 0.8 cents per litre, he said.

At US$90 per barrel, which has been seen over the last couple of weeks, the price of gas in Canada could expect to increase to between eight and 24 cents/l, Antweiler said.

In a province like British Columbia, he said gas will likely top $2/l once taxes and margins are included.

Gas prices have remained elevated in Canada for weeks, hitting record highs in cities such as , B.C.; ; ; and .

Experts cited the possibility of an escalation in tensions between Ukraine and Russia then as a factor.

Dan McTeague, president of Canadians for Affordable Energy, told CP24 that gas prices in Ontario .

"This is going to be a much longer term increase in the price of all commodities driven by oil and of course driven by the most serious geopolitical threat the world has faced, at least since the 1940s and 1950s," he said.

"With that in mind, it's likely that oil is going to go to at least $135 a barrel. We're at about $99 right now. The implications of course are at a time in which prices are already elevated. This is only going to compound for many people a lot of pain at the pumps, among other things, as it makes its way to pretty much every other commodity including food."

With files from Â鶹´«Ã½ and The Associated Press

CTVNews.ca Top Stories

A team of tornado experts is heading to Fergus, Ont. after a storm ripped through the area Sunday night.

Why brain aging can vary dramatically between people

Researchers are uncovering deeper insights into how the human brain ages and what factors may be tied to healthier cognitive aging, including exercising, avoiding tobacco, speaking a second language or even playing a musical instrument.

Local Spotlight

For the second year in a row, the ‘Gift-a-Family’ campaign is hoping to make the holidays happier for children and families in need throughout Barrie.

Some of the most prolific photographers behind CTV Skywatch Pics of the Day use the medium for fun, therapy, and connection.

A young family from Codroy Valley, N.L., is happy to be on land and resting with their newborn daughter, Miley, after an overwhelming, yet exciting experience at sea.

As Connor Nijsse prepared to remove some old drywall during his garage renovation, he feared the worst.

A group of women in Chester, N.S., has been busy on the weekends making quilts – not for themselves, but for those in need.

A Vancouver artist whose streetside singing led to a chance encounter with one of the world's biggest musicians is encouraging aspiring performers to try their hand at busking.

Ten-thousand hand-knit poppies were taken from the Sanctuary Arts Centre and displayed on the fence surrounding the Dartmouth Cenotaph on Monday.

A Vancouver man is saying goodbye to his nine-to-five and embarking on a road trip from the Canadian Arctic to Antarctica.

Stay Connected