Are Airdrie gas prices soaring ahead of April tax increases?

Early on Tuesday morning, some gas stations in Airdrie hiked their gas prices several cents to $1.549, several days ahead of anticipated fuel hikes on April 1.

It's unclear whether other gas stations in Airdrie will follow suit and whether another price hike can be expected next week.

Last week, the province announced that the fuel tax relief program would be ending and that on April 1, the fuel tax would be reinstated in full at 13 cents per litre for gas and diesel.

The end of the province's pause on the fuel tax will come on the same day that the federal carbon tax is also slated to rise. Currently, carbon pricing is set at $65 per tonne. Come April, that price will rise to $80 per tonne.

As of today, the federal carbon tax for one litre of gasoline in Alberta is around 14 cents, but beginning on April 1, that will jump to over 17 cents. 

President of Treasury Board and Minister of Finance, Nate Horner, issued a statement earlier this month, saying that the provincial program was, 'designed to save Albertans money when oil prices are high and bring in needed government revenue when oil prices drop.'

"Since oil prices averaged below $80 per barrel during the most recent quarterly review period, the provincial fuel tax for gas and diesel will be 13 cents per litre starting April 1."

According to the provincial budget which was released last month, it was also stated that, 'the fuel tax relief program is not anticipated to remain in effect, given that [West Texas Intermediate] WTI prices are forecast to remain below the $80 threshold at which partial fuel tax relief begins.'

The Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) has estimated that the national average for gas prices Canada-wide as of Tuesday was an estimated $1.56.

Other gas stations in Airdrie are still reported to have gas priced at $1.449 to $1.469.

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