Gas prices rise across Canada, data shows. How can you save at the pump?

According to data released on Monday, gas prices rose across Canada in March. How can consumers save some money while filling up at the pump?

Average gas prices across Canada have risen significantly in March, according to data from GasBuddy released Monday, and Toronto saw some of the steepest increases.

Average retail gasoline prices in Toronto have risen 11 cents per litre in the past week, averaging 153.04 cents per litre Sunday, according to GasBuddy’s daily survey of 1,082 gas outlets in the city.

This compares with the national average that has increased 4.7 cents per litre in the last week to 155.31 cents per litre, according to GasBuddy.com.

Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, told Global News there are three major factors behind the March increase.

“Spring break travel is occurring. Warmer weather is getting closer. So we are seeing demand rise for gasoline. Last week, according to GasBuddy data, we saw demand increase of three per cent,” he said.

He added that the impact was being felt differently across the country.

“Ontario saw the biggest increase in the last week with prices up $0.10 a litre. B.C. saw prices jump about $0.07 a litre, Quebec up about $0.06. Whereas Newfoundland, Alberta and New Brunswick all saw prices moderately lower than a week ago.”

He added, “It’s also happening at the time of year that we are making the transition over to mandated summer gasoline, which tends to be more expensive to produce, as well as refinery maintenance work, which is limiting the supply of that summer gasoline as we’re making the transition over to it.”