Canada's national average hit 198¢/L in mid-April 2026, briefly fell to 169.1¢/L on April 23 when the federal excise tax suspension took effect, and has climbed back to 192.8¢/L by the week of May 12 (NRCan). Here's the picture today, what the tax holiday changed, and what every region is paying.
A major disruption to global oil supply — centred on the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway carrying roughly 20% of the world's oil — pushed benchmark crude prices above $120 USD/barrel earlier in 2026. The federal fuel excise tax suspension that took effect April 23 (10¢/L off gasoline, 4¢/L off diesel, in force through September 7) briefly dropped the national average to 169.1¢/L. Crude has since climbed back and the NRCan national average for the week of May 12 is 192.8¢/L — up roughly 24¢/L in three weeks, even with the tax holiday still active.
Sources: NRCan daily city series for May 19, 2026 + weekly national series (196.5¢/L, week ending May 19). National avg up 3.7¢/L week-over-week despite the federal excise tax suspension remaining in effect. Federal excise tax holiday (10¢/L gasoline, 4¢/L diesel) runs April 20 – Sept 7, 2026. For provincial detail, refresh NRCan or CAA before departure.
Canada's retail gasoline prices are linked to global benchmark crude oil prices — primarily West Texas Intermediate (WTI), which trades in USD. Even though Canada is a significant oil producer, Canadian refineries purchase crude at market rates, and those rates are set by global supply and demand.
In early 2026, a major disruption to one of the world's most critical oil shipping routes caused crude oil benchmark prices to spike significantly. The Strait of Hormuz — a narrow waterway between Oman and Iran through which an estimated 20% of globally traded oil flows — was temporarily blocked. The immediate effect on crude markets was sharp:
Crude oil prices have pulled back from their peak as shipping routes partially reopened — WTI fell nearly 12% on April 17 alone after markets responded to signals that the waterway was reopening to traffic. However, the full impact of an elevated crude price takes several weeks to fully flow through a refinery's cost structure and appear at the pump, which is why retail prices remain elevated even as crude prices ease.
Alberta's pump prices remain the lowest in Canada for structural reasons unrelated to global events: Alberta has no provincial fuel tax, and the province has direct pipeline access to its own oil production and refinery capacity. When global crude prices rise, Alberta consumers still feel the impact — but from a lower base, and with less layered tax.
British Columbia and Atlantic provinces carry higher fuel taxes than the Prairie provinces, and BC's geography means greater infrastructure costs for fuel distribution. These structural factors exist independently of global crude prices — when global prices spike, they add to an already-higher base.
The federal government suspended the fuel excise tax on gasoline (10¢/L) and diesel (4¢/L) starting April 23, 2026. The tax holiday is still active through September 7, 2026 — every Canadian saves these amounts at the pump. Even with the holiday, the national average has climbed back to 192.8¢/L as of the week ending May 12, 2026 (NRCan) on global supply pressure.
The federal fuel excise tax is a flat per-litre tax applied at the wholesale level across Canada. Its suspension means every Canadian pays 10¢ less per litre of gasoline at the pump from April 20 through September 7, 2026. For diesel fuel, the reduction is 4¢/L.
To put this in practical terms for road trip budgets:
The suspension is explicitly framed by the government as a cost-of-living relief measure in response to elevated global energy prices. It does not affect provincial fuel taxes, carbon pricing, or other provincial fees — only the federal excise tax component.
The 10¢/L reduction is now in effect. All prices in the gas calculator and table below reflect the current post-suspension rates. Use the Northern Stay gas calculator for a personalized province-by-province fuel estimate.
Major-city regular gasoline averages from NRCan daily for May 19, 2026. National average 192.8¢/L (week ending May 12, NRCan). Federal excise tax suspension still in effect.
| Province / Territory | Regular Gas ($/L) | Diesel ($/L) | vs. National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alberta Cheapest | $1.55 | $1.75 | −$0.14 |
| Saskatchewan | $1.61 | $1.81 | −$0.08 |
| Yukon | $1.62 | $1.84 | −$0.07 |
| Manitoba | $1.63 | $1.83 | −$0.06 |
| Ontario | $1.69 | $1.90 | Avg |
| Nova Scotia | $1.75 | $1.95 | +$0.06 |
| New Brunswick | $1.78 | $1.99 | +$0.09 |
| Northwest Territories | $1.80 | $2.02 | +$0.11 |
| Prince Edward Island | $1.85 | $2.06 | +$0.16 |
| Québec | $1.86 | $2.08 | +$0.17 |
| Newfoundland & Labrador | $1.89 | $2.11 | +$0.20 |
| British Columbia Highest (south) | $1.92 | $2.14 | +$0.23 |
| Nunavut Remote premium | $2.48 | $2.72 | +$0.79 |
National average: $1.965/L (NRCan, week of May 19, 2026; refreshed weekly). Sources: NRCan daily city series + national weekly series. Prices fluctuate daily — verify at NRCan or CAA before departure.
Two factors are working in the direction of lower pump prices through summer 2026:
WTI crude fell nearly 12% on April 17, 2026, after the Strait of Hormuz was declared fully open — bringing prices back toward $84 USD/barrel from a peak above $120. If this trajectory holds, the reduction will flow through to Canadian pump prices over the following 2–4 weeks. However, oil markets remain sensitive to further developments, and any renewed supply disruption could reverse these gains quickly.
Starting April 20, all Canadians pay 10¢/L less on gasoline and 4¢/L less on diesel — a direct, immediate reduction that applies regardless of what crude oil markets do. This runs through September 7, covering the entire core summer camping and road trip season.
Taken together, analysts generally expect the national average to settle in the 170–185¢/L range through summer 2026, assuming current conditions hold. Alberta could return to the 150–158¢/L range. These are estimates, not guarantees — oil markets are inherently volatile.
Budget using current prices as a conservative baseline and use the gas calculator for a province-by-province fuel estimate. If prices fall further before your trip, you'll come in under budget.
Gas is one part of your road trip budget. With a Northern Stay membership, campsite fees — the other major variable — drop to $0/night at 80+ private campgrounds across Canada.
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