Gas prices are falling across Canada to lows not seen in five years, with prices expected to remain low throughout the winter months. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Jordan Davidson

prices down

Mid-Island gas prices expected to remain low over winter

Dec 23, 2025 | 12:23 PM

NANAIMO — Gas prices appear to be dropping across British Columbia, following a country-wide trend.

Gas prices around Nanaimo on the morning of Tuesday, Dec. 23, ranged from $139.9 to 146.9 cents per litre, with B.C.’s provincial average the lowest seen since 2021.

According to Gasbuddy analyst Patrick De Haan, the provincial price at the pumps fell about 14 cents a litre over the last four weeks.

“Down another penny a litre in the last week. The provincial average now, $136.6, its also down about 28 cents a litre from last year. We can thank the pause in the federal carbon tax, as well as increased oil supply from OPEC, as well as an increase in oil production in Canada and the United States for putting more oil on the market, depressing prices.”

He said gasoline demand is also lower in cooler, winter months, further driving down prices.

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Standard fall maintenance on fuel refineries in the United States is also complete, with them approaching 95 per cent of their available capacity, nearing some of the highest levels since the pandemic, according to De Haan.

Across Canada, he said every province except Manitoba has seen a decline in gas prices recently, with the national average now at $124.0 cents a litre, 24 cents lower than this time last year.

“Even more impressively, some stations in Alberta now below the dollar a litre mark. Couple of stations in Edmonton and Calgary at 99 cents, so pretty wild to see double digits, it’s been a while since we’ve seen that. Certainly, good news for much of Canada is that relatively low gas prices should stick with us for much of the winter season.”

He said he expects prices “should remain somewhat low” throughout the rest of the winter season before rising again with the temperatures, with some potential bumps in the road as the situation between the United States and Venezuela continues to develop.

— with files from Jon de Roo, 97.3 The Eagle

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