Gas prices climb in the Maritimes ahead of long weekend

Maritimers are reacting to surging gas prices ahead of the May long weekend.

Maritimers will be paying more at the pumps ahead of the long weekend.

Nova Scotia

The price of regular self-serve gasoline in the Halifax area increased by 4.5 cents. The new minimum price is 196.2 cents per litre.

Diesel prices increased by 3.1 cents. The new minimum price is 216.1 cents per litre.

In Cape Breton, the new minimum price of regular self-serve gasoline is 198.1 cents per litre. The new minimum price of diesel is 218.1 cents per litre.

Prince Edward Island

The price of regular self-serve gasoline increased on P.E.I by 2.9 cents a litre. The new minimum price is 204.0 cents per litre.

The price of diesel increased by 1.1 cents. The new minimum price is 229.3 cents per litre.

New Brunswick

In New Brunswick, the price of regular self-serve gasoline increased by 5.1 cents. The new maximum price is 202.1 cents per litre.

Diesel prices increased by 5.1 cents. The maximum price is now 231.4 cents per litre.

Residents feeling the impact

The cost of gas is having an impact on Calvin Spinney, who spends a lot of time driving around the southern part of New Brunswick for work.

He leaves his home in Sussex just before 7 a.m., picks up seafood in Alma and then sells it at a gas station parking lot in Moncton.

He used to budget around $150 per weekend for gas, but now it’s around $200.

“It’s about $10 more a day for me right now, the cost for the fuel,” said Spinney. “It adds up, because I only work on a little commission so that comes right out of the bottom line.”

Daniel Bernatchez filled up his tank before coming to see Spinney to buy some lobster.

“The gas prices are out of this world, they’re crazy. But you’ve got to pay. You’ve got no choice,” said Bernatchez.

Kimberly Jardine thinks the price of gas is ridiculous and the government should do something about it.

“People are having to choose between paying their heat, paying their groceries, getting gas to go to work. There’s just not enough money to pay for everything. I think the government should be stepping in to do something to help Canadians,” said Jardine.

Eric Robichaud said every long weekend people in New Brunswick usually get hit with an increase at the pumps.

“Complaining about the gas prices now has become redundant because regardless you still have to burn it anyways. A $1.40 or $2.40, no sense b****ing about it because you have to burn it anyway,” said Robichaud.

Stephanie Kelly said she doesn’t really think about gas prices.

“It’s something that I know that we need to get the kids to and from daycare and school every day. So I just pump as I need it, as I go,” said Kelly.