REGINA — The price of gas continues to go even higher, putting pressure on RMs.
In Saskatchewan, gas hit prices of $2.06.9 at a number of gas stations in Regina and Saskatoon, according to figures posted at GasBuddy.ca. The gas prices have prompted a statement from the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities, expressing concern about the impact of the high prices on their operations.
“The cost of fuel has never been higher, and the ripple effect of high prices is exceptionally frustrating for rural municipalities, the increased cost of fuel directly impacts a municipalities’ day-to-day operations as well as their budgets,” say Ray Orb, president of SARM, in a statement.
The price of gas is causing a dent on rural municipality budgets and on their contracting.
“Every RM has at least two graders, alongside backhoes, gravel trucks and front-end loaders that use substantial amounts of fuel. In the RM of Redburn we use six machines that run every day for seven months of the year, and two machines that run all year round. Looking at our upcoming budget, it’s hard to see the price of fuel to run these machines increase by 50 per cent. It’s not easy for RMs to juggle this cost,” said Guy Lagrandeur, administrator of the RM of Redburn in a statement.
It was also noted that with only a short season to get projects done. "Local RMs are feeling the pinch in their operating budgets,” Orb stated.
SARM is pledging to lobby provincial and federal governments to offset the surging fuel costs and the drastic implications it will have for rural Saskatchewan.
