Rising fuel costs are crippling small businesses in Alberta. In Calgary, gasoline jumped from just over $1 to $1.66 per litre. Drilon Beqa, owner of Flash Express Courier, reports van fill-ups surged from $80 to $130. He has implemented fluctuating fuel surcharges, yet margins remain squeezed.
The spike stems from the Middle East conflict beginning February 28, disrupting global supply. Brent Crude climbed over 60 percent to exceed $108 per barrel. While the City of Calgary mitigates risk through hedging contracts, experts warn broader economic fallout.
Trevor Tombe, Director of Fiscal and Economic Policy at the University of Calgary’s School of Public Policy, predicts a $1,000 cost increase for the average household. Higher energy prices drive up food and transport expenses, straining consumers despite potential gains for the provincial government.