Gas prices across Metro Vancouver dip to new 2022 low
A new gas price low has been set in Metro Vancouver for 2022, as numbers at the pumps dip below 155.9 cents per litre.
Drivers in Surrey report seeing numbers as low as 149.9 at the Husky gas station on Fraser Highway, according to the fuel-price tracking company Gas Buddy.
That marks a 40 per cent drop from the last low record, which was set one week prior, and follows a downward trend that’s happening nationwide.
Werner Antweiler, a professor of economics at UBC’s Sauder School of Business, said there are three main factors driving down prices.
"It's driven to a large extent by the global oil markets and by the situation in Europe, but it's also driven by particular problems coming out of COVID that created volatility out of the local level,” he said.
Prices are down dramatically from September, when Metro Vancouver gas prices climbed to a record high at 241.9.
"We see actually a drop in international oil prices to levels just below US$73 a barrel and it hasn't been that low in quite a while, maybe last year," said Antweiler.
A dramatic drop came in the middle of October when prices went from 227.9 to 192.9 overnight, which analysts say was due to a West Coast pipeline and a refinery coming back online after undergoing maintenance.
While fuel costs are falling across B.C., drivers on the other side of the country are paying even less.
Fuel analyst Dan McTeague took to Twitter Wednesday to alert Ontarians that gas prices will hit a one-year low Thursday at 138.9 cents per litre.
On Thursday, GasWizard.ca predicts prices in Metro Vancouver will rise slightly to 156.9.
Antweiler says Canadians should get used to the extreme flux in prices heading in to the new year.
"Be prepared for abrupt sudden price changes," he said.
He expects 2023 to be a rollercoaster at the gas pump.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Legitimately flabbergasting': MP raises concerns over government's quarantine hotel spending
Conservative MP Michelle Rempel Garner is raising concerns over the federal government's spending on so-called COVID-19 quarantine hotels, calling the total spent on a Calgary-area hotel in 2022 'legitimately flabbergasting.'

Man spends 24 hours in Toronto Denny's after losing bet, raises almost $6K for charity
At first, Juan Delgado agreed to spend 24 hours inside a Dundas St. Denny’s as a consequence of losing in his fantasy football league.
Discovery in Canadian lab could help laptop, phone and car batteries last longer
A chance discovery in a Canadian laboratory could help extend the life of laptop, phone and electric car batteries.
Loblaw ends No Name price freeze, vows 'flat' pricing 'wherever possible'
Loblaw will not be extending its price freeze on No Name brand products, but vows to keep the yellow label product-pricing flat 'wherever possible.'
Woman detained in Syria says Ottawa is forcing her to make agonizing choice in order to get her kids to Canada
A woman held in a detention camp in Syria, along with her three Canadian children, says the federal government is forcing her to make an agonizing choice: relinquish custody of her kids so they can be repatriated to Canada, or keep them in the camp where the conditions are dire. Her children are eligible for repatriation but she is not a Canadian citizen.
Banff National Park cave creature exists 'no where else': Parks Canada
A cave in Banff National Park has been recognized as a globally significant location thanks to a tiny creature found inside.
Jeopardy! dedicates entire category to Ontario but one question stumps every contestant
Jeopardy! turned the spotlight on Ontario on Monday night with a category entirely dedicated to the province. One question stumped every contestant.
B.C. man facing extradition to U.S. for alleged sex crimes against stepdaughter
A Vancouver Island man is awaiting possible extradition to the United States on charges of sexual assault against his 13-year-old stepdaughter.
Toronto student’s algorithm helps detect radio signals emitting from 5 distant stars
A new artificial intelligence algorithm created by a Toronto student is helping researchers search the stars for signs of life.