Calgarians celebrate end of consumer carbon tax: “It’s a nice change”

Calgary drivers were happy to see a drop in fuel prices on Tuesday - as the end of the federal Consumer Carbon Tax took effect.

It was a sight Alberta drivers certainly were excited to see on Tuesday — even if they didn’t anticipate it.

“I came off the highway on empty, so it was definitely a good time,” said Andrew, who fills up his SUV about once a week.

The end of the federal consumer carbon price was reflected at pumps across Calgary on Tuesday morning — the average price per litre dropping by as much as 20 cents.

“I saw on the news yesterday that a tax cut was coming… I was happy I didn’t fill up yesterday,” laughed Devon, who’s at his local gas station once every four days, putting 91 octane into his Subaru.

For the average driver with a 60 litre tank, a reduction in fuel prices by 18 cents per litre means spending about $10 less each time they fill up.

But analysts say the positive change may not be permanent.

“The underlying cost of oil is also going up,” explained Patrick De Haan, Head of Petroleum Analysis at GasBuddy.

So it may be more in the realm of the 15-cent-a-litre drop that most Canadians end up seeing.”