Fellow B.C. drivers have been experiencing a surge in gas prices, recently due to the U.S. air strike attacks on Iran that resulted in the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Anyone in the Lower Mainland who drives gas-fuelled vehicles are being affected. However, it’s hitting especially hard for ride-hail drivers, contractors such as Uber drivers, who use their vehicles for work.Â
On Mar. 17, the cost of regular gas climbed to $187.3 cents per litre, but the following Monday, it surpassed $2 per litre in Vancouver. The Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) determined that the median cost of gas across Canada was around $164.1 cents per litre.Â
Ride-hail drivers are finding it harder to survive. Kuljeet Singh, a Vancouver Uber and Lyft driver, and the director of Ride Hailing Driver Association BC claimed that he pays an additional $20-25 per visit to the gas station. This amounts to $150-200 more for gas over a period of three to four days a week.Â
Both the provincial governments of B.C. and Ontario have passed laws to better support affected workers, including set minimum wages, WorkSafeBC coverage, and the right to join a union. However, advocates say that benefits don’t go far enough.
Joe Calnan, vice president of energy for the Global Affairs Institute, said that the gas prices in Canada will continue to increase as long as the war between the U.S. and Israel progresses.
Veronica is a Staff Writer at The Cascade. She loves to travel and explore new places, no matter how big or small. She is in her second year at UFV, pursuing the study of Creative
Writing.