By Patrick Temitope Osadare
The initial enthusiasm of relocation is suddenly turning to regret because of the increase in gas prices in Canada.
Gas prices hit $181.9 in many cities across Canada. Residents now spend more than what they budgeted for transportation, making it tough to commute to their places of work.
Students say the increase in gas will have a lot of negative impacts now that they have returned to in-person learning.
“This increase in gas prices has been overwhelming. I usually fill my car gas tank with $38 before but today, I filled the same tank with $70. It is tough on my finances now.” said James Ojo, a Business Studies student at Conestoga College, who drives to campus daily.
Furthermore, the increase will indeed cause an increase in people’s transport budgets which may not augur well for residents, especially people who drive to work daily, those that do delivery jobs and international students who do not have immediate family in Canada to help.
Many believe the increase in gas prices is a torn in the flesh of residents of Canada.
As gas prices increase, life has also become more challenging for people who work in the transportation sector.
“Elizabeth Pamilerin, a Nigerian and a full-time share ride driver who resides in Canada says “I am home doing nothing because I cannot afford to buy gas at its present price. Usually, I spend $45 worth of gas to make three trips from Kitchener to Toronto, but yesterday, I spent $75 on gas to make just two trips so, I am running at a loss.”
Also, public service workers are lamenting on the rising gas.
Paul Harrison, a nurse in Canada, suggested that government should increase wages to help with transportation.
“In the past, I spent $45 a week on gas to come to work, but now it has doubled. I told my colleague at work that government is supposed to increase our wages because we are spending so much to come to work.”
She also reflected on the cause of the hike in gas prices. “I think the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia is the cause of this increase, as we all know that Russia is the largest exporter of oil in the world.”
She expressed her concern about how difficult it will be for students to cope in this hard time.
“I consider students who have to go to classes. They can’t even work more than 20 hours and they are spending so much on gas to get to school. It is just that they have to face it and succeed in their studies.”
