Gasoline Prices in Canada: All the Latest Stats and Facts

Did you know that Canadians consume 189 million litres of fuel every day? Truth be told, these numbers aren’t shocking in the slightest, seeing as literally everyone and their mother owns a car.

Has that peaked your interest? Want to know more?

Keep reading to find out more about the fuel industry as well as a few interesting details about gasoline prices in Canada.

Fascinating Facts about Canadian Gasoline:

  • Canadians consume about 40 billion litres of gasoline every year.
  • There are 17 refineries operating in Canada, with 14 actively producing gasoline.
  • 107.000 Canadians are employed in the gasoline downstream sector.
  • 11.908 retail gas stations can be found across the country.

General Statistics

Gasoline Prices in Canada

1. The average gas station price in January 2022 was 144.4 cents per litre.

(Canadian Automobile Association)

The average price fluctuates according to consumer demand and annual production levels. Even if these numbers seem steady for a while, they can undergo swift changes in a short span of time, depending on the circumstances.

Wholesale gasoline and crude oil prices are treated in the same way as any other commodity. The inherent value that’s placed on these goods relies heavily on current market conditions as well as local demand and supply capacities. All of these factors have major effects on retail gas prices.

Among some other interesting news, Canada is the fourth-largest producer of crude oil in the world.

2. Canadians generally pay less for gasoline than most countries in the world.

(Canadian Fuels Association)

Based on data from June 2020, Canadians averaged about 102.9 cents per litre, which ranks among the lowest gas prices at the time. The United States follows closely behind with 74.5 cents, which is also an admirable feat.

In contrast, the prices in some of the other leading countries globally show steady growth. Upon closer inspection, it’s easily noticeable that Italy is the clear frontrunner, with a whopping 210.7 cents, virtually doubling down on Canada’s stats. Other notable mentions include France (199.6), Germany (193.2) and the UK (180.9).

3. Since May 2020, gas prices in Canada have steadily increased.

(Statista)

Before the pandemic hit, the median gas price in February 2020 was 112.2 cents, a reasonable amount. Starting from the following month, these numbers plummeted fairly quickly, only to reach 77.8 cents in April. This drastic change is considered normal, given the circumstances and the sudden halt that all aspects of human life were brought to.

The numbers started going up again in May of the same year, reaching a price point of 91.4 cents and continued the rising trend for months to come. Exactly a year later, in May 2021, the petrol price in Canada was at an impressive 131.5 cents.

4. An overwhelming majority of Canadians use petroleum fuel.

(Canadian Fuels Association)

A staggering 95% of Canadians choose liquid petroleum – both gasoline and diesel – as their preferred type of fuel. The choice between one or the other largely depends on the type of vehicle or engine requirements. Scalability and sustainability are additional factors, referring to a fuel’s ability to be produced and distributed in large amounts across the country.

On the tail-end of the list, natural gas and electricity fail to make a significant impact on consumer preference, supply and distribution availability. Yet, gas, along with travel and accommodation, made up for 29% of summer costs in 2021, according to consumer spending statistics.

Gasoline Prices in Canada

5. With 5.600 individual outlet operators, Costco offers the most affordable service.

(Canadian Fuels Association)

Gas stations and convenience stores are spread out across the nation but the gas price in Costco takes the win as the least expensive option, with an average of 139.9 cents. Other noteworthy contenders include Ultramar and Esso gas stations, coming in clutch with approximately 146.5 and 147.9 cents respectively.

At the top of the list, you’ll find Lambert’s Pump and Flying J gas stations, both of which have a median price of 153.9 cents. All of these numbers have made their mark in the national pricing policy.

Location-based Statistics

6. Among Canadian provinces, British Columbia edges out in first place.

(Canadian Automobile Association)

Not surprisingly, there’s no universal criterion when it comes to the price of gasoline in Canada. As of January 2022, British Columbia slithers into first place with an average of 162.6 cents while Newfoundland gas prices trail closely behind with 158.9 cents.

Somewhat surprisingly, the most densely populated province of Ontario falls into fifth place with 143.4 cents. Meanwhile, Alberta occupies the final spot with a budget-friendly 136.1 cents per litre of gasoline.

7. Of all the major cities, Vancouver leads the pack, averaging 125.4 per litre.

(Canadian Fuels Association)

The local pump price for a litre of gas in Canada is greatly influenced by consumer demand, sales volume and market size, as well as the number of competitors found in the area. While Vancouver tops the chart, Halifax can be found at the opposite end of the spectrum with 92.5 cents for each litre of gas.

In between, you’ll notice a range of prices in different cities. Gas prices in Toronto average at 99.9 cents whereas in Montreal gas is available for 106.4 cents.

Sellers and Distributors

8. Parkland Fuel leads the market share of distributors with 15.4%.

(Canadian Fuels Association)

Parkland fuel has retained a strong presence in the gasoline marketplace in Canada, practically cementing its presence in the industry. Suncor Energy comes in second place with a respectable 10.6% whereas Couche-Tard stands at 9.6% in third place.

When taking a look at the lower end of the scale, Greenergy Fuels and Filgo-Sonic fall short with 2.1% and 2.4%, respectively.

9. Marketing and distribution costs make up 7% of the retail pump price.

(Canadian Fuels Association)

Canada boasts a complex distribution network to get fuels out of refineries and into product terminals. This process can be achieved through pipelines, ships, rails and trucks, depending on the area.

Once the fuel has arrived at product terminals, it’s then shipped out to retail outlets and other wholesale distributors. Only then can customers gain access to the fuel they need for transportation. The resources necessary to fund the distribution across the country have fluctuated in accordance with retail gas prices throughout the years.

 

Finishing Thoughts

Even if you dig deeper into the Canadian gas prices history, you likely won’t come up with conclusive results. At the end of the day, it’s neither the retail price nor the quality of fuel that determines consumers’ preferences – it’s all about convenience.

In most cases, it doesn’t really matter where you get a refill or how much you pay for it, what matters is that you get it done. This is the driving force behind the Canadian fuel marketplace forward, regardless of industry trends or standards.

FAQ

How much is a liter of gas in Canada?

Gasoline prices in Canada vary depending on consumer demand in a particular area. In January 2022, the average price per litre was 144.4 cents.

How much does gas cost per month in Ontario?

The latest data as of January 2022 suggests that Ontario-based customers pay around 143.4 cents for a single litre of gas.

ABOUT AUTHOR

Mila is an English literature student and a devoted animal's rights advocate. Despite her love for the written word, she's a keen observer of the everyday world and an excellent researcher with a bright and fresh perspective. When she's not doing research, you're most likely to find her out for a walk with her dog or binge-watching a TV show.

Latest from this author

Conventional vs Collateral Mortgage: What’s the Difference? How Much Does a Car Inspection Cost? How Much Is a Car Battery in Canada? How to Become a Nurse in Canada? A Must-Read Guide

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *