MERRITT HERALD EST. 1905
THURSDAY, August 15, 2024 • www.X.com/merrittherald • www.merrittherald.com
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Merritt’s gas prices surge Kenneth Wong
reporter@merrittherald.com
Merritt Otters swimmers excelled at Regionals. Page 18. Photo/Merritt Otters Swim Club
DROUGHT ALERT
DANCE IN THE PARK
Nicola River watershed may hit Drought Level 4 soon.
Dance in the Park is back to Rotary Park for its third year.
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High gas prices frustrate Nicola Valley residents, leaving a significant impact on the community. Culminating data from GasBuddy reveals the average price for regular gas in Merritt, as of Aug. 13, is 178.3 cents per litre. According to GlobalPetrolPrices, the average cost for octane-95 gasoline in British Columbia, between May 6, 2024 to Aug. 5, 2024, was $1.97 per litre. Currently, the national average for gas is 162.5 cents per litre with the most expensive gas found in the Northwest Territories at 182.9 cents per litre and Manitoba having the cheapest gas at 150.8 cents per litre. “This gouging and carbon tax has caused so many issues,” said Merritt resident Sefora Blindu. “My family travels a lot for appointments for my son who has a rare epilepsy condition, it makes it so hard as we own a diesel truck… we end up waiting to fuel in another town when possible.” “Not everyone can or wants to change over to (electric vehicles) so we shouldn’t have to be punished for it,” said Blindu. Despite Merritt historically being known for having cheaper gas. Culminating data from GasBuddy reveals that, as of Aug. 13, Kamloops has an average 167.8 cents per litre, Hope has an average of 164.4. Merritt sits only only 4.9 cents short of the Vancouver’s average of 184.7 cents per litre, according to
Ycharts. Whilst the cost of gas has not majorly affected Johnny On The Rez’s customers coming in and out, assistant manager Tasha Canadian says that the cost of gas has affected their supply chain. “Even for ordering stuff for the store, I’ve noticed that there has been maybe $1 or $2 added on per item now, so it’s kind of ‘do I want to bring us in?’” said Canadian, estimating an increase of 20 per cent cost to bring in items into the store. “I think it probably has to do with just the cost of everything,” said Canadian. “It’s either you buy food or you get gas, because it is so expensive for everything.” According to the Province’s consumer price index (CPI), as of June 2024, the cost for fuel has increased by 5.8 per cent from June 2023. Aside from gas, shelter has increased by 6.9 per cent, food by 3.3 per cent, and health and personal care by three per cent. “As of June 2024, the 12-month average price index for all-items in British Columbia was $153.3 a 3.0 per cent increase when compared to the previous 12-month average,” reads the CPI. Energy had an average price index of 214.5 (-2.1 per cent) while the average food price index climbed to $180.1 (+4.6 per cent).” “Driving is a non-negotiable for those with custody obligations,” said Merritt resident Shannon Wailing. “The fuel prices as well as the grocery prices have been crippling at best.”
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