In the ebb and flow world of gas pricing, Humboldt is fairing far better than Metro Vancouver. As of April 12th, sitting at $1.18 per litre doesn't sting the pocketbook the way their $1.70 would. However, don't get settled into our current pricing according to Senior Analyst, Dan McTeague from Gas Buddy.

There are a wide variety of factors in play when it comes to the stability of pricing, not the least of which is demand impacting supply. Humboldt certainly won't be the only ones caught in the pinch. 

McTeague lays out the scenario for the coming weeks, "The price for fuel across North America is on the rise. In today's marketing news, we're seeing rather dramatic increases in pretty much all fuel prices. That's pretty much due to the fact that we follow the U.S. to a tee. We look to the Chicago Spot Market which influences prices here in Saskatchewan and across much of Western Canada. If we see those prices move a penny or two, it means the prices we've been accustomed to may not last too much longer."

For communities who have seen their regular pump price sitting at the $1.15 to $1.17, as has been the case for Humboldt and area, McTeague expects prices to climb to the $1.24 range if not higher.

McTeague looks at the mix of factors blending together to drive the increase. "Crude prices are up about 35% since Christmas. Gas futures are trending up at around 23 cents a litre, and of course, the Federal Carbon Tax, when multiplied by the GST means we're up another 4.6 cents permanently. Although these in and of themselves might be considered no big deal, together they start to pack quite a punch at the pumps, and that's what we're looking at right now."

McTeague says that we're heading into price levels that haven't been seen in our area in a long time. When prices started to approach the $1. 25 per litre price point, people's eyebrows start to rise given that we have become accustomed to prices sometimes below the $1.00 level.