Rising gas prices are leading to financial struggles

The increasing cost of gasoline is adding pressure to some already-tight family budgets.

An Angus Reid poll found that most respondents have noticed an increase in the cost of gas where they live and one third of those said they are struggling with the extra cost.

British Columbia has the highest gas prices in North America and 59% of respondents there said the government needs to do more to address the issue.

With household budgets being squeezed already by rising food and shelter costs – the latest inflation data showed vegetables and mortgage costs saw the largest rises – the additional burden of higher prices at the pumps is driving some changes in behaviour.

One-in-three (35%) say they have been driving less, and another quarter (26%) say they have been filling up less. Still others have traveled to other towns (18%) or across the U.S. border to buy gas (7%).

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