Gas prices in Ottawa set to rise on Saturday

Motorists fill up at a gas station in Ottawa on Wednesday, April 8. (Katie Griffin/CTV News Ottawa)

Gas prices are set to rise Saturday, with the annual switch to summer gasoline blends and the rallying of energy markets both contributing to the price increase.

Canadians for Affordable Energy President Dan McTeague says gas prices are set to go up 9 cents a litre on Saturday. Diesel prices will rise by 2 cents.

McTeague tells CTV News Ottawa that 5 cents of the increase is due to the summer blend switchover and 4 cents is because of the energy market.

Fuel blends are changed every April and September to summer and winter blends, respectively. Summer gas uses less butane because it evaporates more quickly, but it’s added to winter blends to help cars start in lower temperatures. Replacing butane with other additives in the summer is what contributes to the price increase.

The average gas price in Ottawa on Friday is around $1.68 per litre.

With files from CTV News Ottawa’s Josh Pringle

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