Tri-City residents enjoying a little break in gas prices might be forgiven if they are spending the savings at the mall or the grocery store.
An extra $5 or $10 in the pocket for every gas fill-up is a welcome break on the budget but a petroleum expert says prices are near the bottom and this petroleum price holiday is not likely to last.
What's more, gas isn't as cheap in the Lower Mainland as it is in other jurisdictions and prices would have to drop drastically for drivers to get dollar-a-litre or lower gas at the pump because of TransLink's 17 cents in gas taxes.
Low oil prices could also have a dampening effect on the Canadian economy, which some claim is propped up by the oil industry, while others worry that cheap oil will affect innovation to cut greenhouse gases.
But these macro issues are out of most consumers' hands. For most people, it's great to be able to save a buck just as the holiday spending season arrives.
