Kent Driscoll
Northern News Services

Iqaluit (Sep 05/05) - Fuel prices may have jumped 9.6 cents a litre last week, but the price of gasoline is still one of the lowest in Canada.

Dino Birmingham spent Aug. 31 pumping gas at Baffin Gas in Iqaluit. People were showing up for a last minute fill up before new fuel prices took hold in Nunavut. - Kent Driscoll/NNSL photo

While people in Montreal and Vancouver are paying up to $1.35 a litre, it cost $1.08 a litre to fill up a vehicle in Cambridge Bay.

"I'm as happy as I could be," said Levinia Brown, Minister of Community and Government Services.

"It's been known that fuel prices will go up. We have no control over what happens in the world market. I've heard bits and pieces from the communities and there was the expectation that it was going to happen."

Brown is responsible for the petroleum products division and announced the increase Aug. 30. Price is determined by the cabinet's financial management board. That board consists of all of cabinet, and is chaired by the minister of finance.

Deputy minister Tom Rich said the price is determined by many factors.

"It is based on how much is sold, and there is a subsidy built in. The price has been favourable for years," said Rich.

Brown agrees with the importance of the subsidy, saying, "If it wasn't for that, no one could afford it."

With the price of fossil fuels skyrocketing throughout North America, most Nunavummiut expected an increase.

David Kullualik had a busy day at the Pangnirtung Co-op's gas bar, with a last minute rush to fill the tanks before the Sept. 1 increase took effect.

"People aren't complaining, I was expecting this news, because of all the news from down south," said Kullualik.

He was a savvy shopper, too. Kullualik filled up his boat on Aug. 31, the day before the increase took hold.

"I was working for 11 hours straight (the day before the increase). It was non-stop, I've never seen anything like it," said Kullualik.

In Chesterfield Inlet, Brad Amirault manages the Pitsiqlak Co-op and tried to sell as much cheaper gas as he could.

"We tried to fill-up as many people as we could, the high school, the nurses station, the hamlet office. Our driver Kevin put on a strong effort and we were able to get almost everyone," said Amirault.

Amirault is concerned that the price is more expensive in Kivalliq than on Baffin Island.

"It seems like the further North you go, the cheaper it gets. Wouldn't it be cheaper to ship it here?" asked Amirault.

New gas prices in Nunavut

(All prices in cents per litre and include taxes)

Iqaluit is the exception, with individual retailers deciding on the price of fuel

Gasoline Old/New

Iglulik: 89.3/ 98.9 Hall Beach: 89.3 /98.9 Pond Inlet: 92.3 /101.9 Clyde River: 89.3 /98.9 Arctic Bay: 92.3 /101.9 Kimmirut: 91.3 / 100.9 Cape Dorset: 91.3 / 98.9 Pangnirtung: 89.3 /98.9 Qikiqtarjuak: 91.3 /100.9 Sanikiluaq: 83.3/ 92.9 Rankin Inlet: 96.3 /105.9 Arviat: 96.3 /105.9 Chesterfield: 96.3 /105.9 Baker Lake: 95.3 /104.9 Coral Harbour: 98.0 /107.6

Repulse Bay: 91.3/100.9 Whale Cove: 96.3/ 105.9 Cam Bay: 98.0 /107.6 Kugluktuk: 98.0 /107.6 Bathurst Inlet: 98.0 /107.6 Gjoa Haven: 98.0 /107.6 Taloyoak:98.0 /107.6 Kugaaruk: 98.0 /107.6 Umingmaktok: 98.0 /107.6 Resolute Bay: 92.3 /101.9 Grise Fiord: 89.3 /98.9

Source: Government of Nunavut Petroleum Products Division.