Filling your gas tank just got a whole lot more costly. The price of gasoline jumped about ten cents per litre this week in southern Manitoba.

Henry Nickel is General Manager for Clearview Co-op, which is selling gas for 143.9 cents per litre. Nickel explains there are a few factors driving up these prices. First of all, he says the demand is up, which causes prices to climb. But also, crude costs continue to creep up. Then, on top of the increase are the taxes you pay. So, if prices go up eight cents per litre, it could be a total of ten cents once you factor in the taxes.

Needless to say, these prices are about the highest we have ever seen in Steinbach and area. Nickel says you would have to go back to 2008 when prices were just above $1.40 per litre.

"At that time, the taxes were quite a bit lower," he says. "In the last year, we've had around ten cents carbon tax added to the consumer as well."

Nickel says it is hard to say for sure, but he would guess that these prices will stick around for a bit. He notes what happens in other parts of the world plays a major role on local markets.

"Quite honestly I wish I knew," he jokes. "I'd be rich."

Having said that, Nickel notes retailers never want to see high gas prices. He notes, contrary to what people might think retailers are always better off with lower prices.

Meanwhile, Nickel says the price at pumps in Steinbach is very similar to the rest of southern Manitoba. And, believe it or not, Nickel says prices in Manitoba are now among the lowest in Canada. He says the last he saw, Ontario and BC had prices above $1.50 per litre.