Gas prices surge in some parts of Canada. What’s causing pain at the pumps?

Gas prices were up as much as 22 cents in some parts of Canada on Thursday. Here's where motorists were feeling the most pinch at the pumps, and why.

A sharp uptick in gas prices is fuelling road rage in some parts of Canada on Thursday.

Many motorists filling up at the pumps are facing higher prices — some up as much as 22 cents from yesterday in parts of Ontario, for instance.

Data from GasBuddy’s live gas price tracker shows prices were 10 cents higher across Ontario for an average of $1.73 per litre by 1:30 p.m. Eastern Thursday, as compared to the previous day’s average.

Prices for gas rose by a similar degree in Toronto, but in southwest Ontario towns such as Sarnia, GasBuddy says the cost of gasoline has jumped 22.3 cents to $1.79 per litre as of 1:30 p.m. Other Ontario municipalities near the U.S. border such as Chatham and Windsor also saw double-digit jumps in the price of gas.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford shared his frustrations about the gas price hike on Thursday. Analysts had predicted prices would rise overnight due to a changeover to summer gasoline blends from winter fuel.

“You go out last night and you’re sitting there for 20 minutes in the line up to get gas, you know, and it’s unacceptable. Everywhere I was going, it was about a buck, 59. You wake up this morning and it’s $1.80. You know, it’s absolutely disgusting,” Ford said during an appearance in Oakville, Ont.

Quebec drivers were also seeing prices rise on Thursday, with a hike of 6.4 cents taking the province’s average cost past $2 a litre, according to the gas data. Montreal gas prices hit an average of $1.87 per litre as of 1:30 p.m., an 8.2-cent hike from Wednesday.

“Of course it will have an impact on our budget. So for normal people, regular people, families, it’s going to be tough,” Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante said Wednesday ahead of the price surge.