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Ottawa gas prices hit $1.52 amid war in Middle East | CTV News Ottawa at Six for Sat, March 7, 2026
Summary
Gas prices in Ottawa have surged to approximately $1.52 per liter, reflecting a six-cent increase overnight. Analysts attribute this rise to geopolitical tensions stemming from the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, particularly affecting oil supply routes. Predictions indicate that prices may continue to climb as the situation evolves.
The St. Patrick's Day Parade returned to downtown Ottawa after a seven-year hiatus, celebrating Irish heritage with thousands in attendance. The event featured festive music, bands, and costumes, highlighting the strong connection between Ottawa and the Irish community.
In addition to cultural celebrations, Ottawa hosted Canada's first hardware hackathon for high school students, promoting hands-on learning and innovation in technology. Participants engaged in building projects, showcasing their creativity and problem-solving skills.
Concerns regarding the impact of the Middle East conflict extend beyond gas prices, with experts warning of potential disruptions to shipping and increased costs for consumer goods. The interconnectedness of global supply chains means that local prices may rise as a result of international events.
Perspectives
short
Support for local events and community initiatives
- Celebrates the return of the St. Patricks Day Parade, emphasizing cultural heritage
- Highlights the success of the hardware hackathon in engaging youth
- Promotes the therapeutic riding program as beneficial for seniors
Concerns over rising gas prices and safety issues
- Warns of the impact of geopolitical tensions on local gas prices
- Raises alarms about the safety of the Jewish community following recent shootings
- Questions the adequacy of infrastructure to support new housing developments
Neutral / Shared
- Notes the interconnectedness of global supply chains affecting local economies
- Acknowledges the emotional benefits of community engagement through events
Metrics
price
$1.52 CAD
average gas price in Ottawa
This price reflects the immediate impact of global oil market fluctuations on local consumers.
gas prices jumping about six cents overnight bringing the average to around $1.52 a liter
price
$1.33 CAD
previous average gas price in Ottawa
The increase from this price indicates significant volatility in the market.
the first flight from FRA was approximately $1.33 per liter in the capital
markup
19 cents CAD
increase in gas price over two weeks
This markup highlights the rapid escalation of fuel costs affecting consumers.
a 19 cent markup today
price_prediction
10 to 12 cents CAD
expected further increase in gas prices
Predictions of further increases signal ongoing economic pressures on consumers.
gasoline probably up another 10 to 12 cents a liter
oil_price_prediction
$100 USD
expected price of oil per barrel
This forecast indicates potential future economic strain on fuel prices.
pushing to $100 a barrel by the end of next week
attendance
thousands people
number of attendees at the St. Patrick's Day Parade
High attendance indicates strong community engagement and cultural pride.
thousands came out to show their Irish pride
other
two incidents
number of synagogues targeted by gunfire
This pattern of violence raises serious concerns about community safety.
two synagogues were struck by gunfire overnight
other
three incidents
number of times synagogues were targeted this week
Indicates a troubling escalation of anti-Semitic violence.
the third time synagogues in the region were targeted this week
Key entities
Timeline highlights
00:00–05:00
Gas prices in Ottawa have increased by six cents overnight to approximately $1.52 a litre, with analysts predicting further rises due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The St.
- Gas prices in Ottawa have surged dramatically, increasing by six cents overnight to approximately $1.52 a litre. Analysts warn of further increases due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East
- The St. Patricks Day parade has returned to downtown Ottawa for the first time since 2019, with thousands celebrating the deep bond between Canada and Ireland
- Canadians attempting to return home from the Middle East are facing significant travel disruptions, including flight cancellations and delays. Reports indicate that drone strikes are affecting airports
05:00–10:00
Gas prices in Ottawa have increased to an average of $1.52 per liter, reflecting a six-cent rise overnight. This marks a significant 19-cent increase from two weeks ago, driven by geopolitical tensions affecting global oil prices.
- Gas prices in Ottawa have surged to an average of $1.52 per liter, reflecting a six-cent increase overnight due to rising global oil prices linked to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Just two weeks prior, prices were approximately $1.33 per liter, indicating a significant 19-cent markup in a short period
- Drivers expressed frustration at the rising costs, noting they had seen prices as low as $1.34 to $1.36 earlier. Analysts suggest that geopolitical tensions, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz, are driving the increase in gas prices
- Predictions indicate that gas prices could rise further, with estimates suggesting an increase of another 10 to 12 cents per liter as oil prices may reach $100 a barrel by the end of the following week
10:00–15:00
The St. Patrick's Day Parade returned to downtown Ottawa after a seven-year hiatus, celebrating Irish heritage with thousands in attendance.
- The St. Patricks Day Parade returned to downtown Ottawa after a seven-year hiatus, marking the first celebration since 2019. Thousands attended to show their Irish pride, with festive music and costumes filling the streets
- Mayor Mark Suckliff and Ottawa Councilors participated in the parade, which kicked off at noon at the Supreme Court of Canada and ended in the ByWard Market. The event highlighted Ottawas strong connection to Irish heritage, with many participants expressing joy in celebrating their roots
- Following the parade, local Irish pubs were packed, providing a boost to downtown businesses ahead of St. Patricks Day on March 17th. In a separate event, nearly 100 high school students from Ottawa and Montreal participated in Canadas first-ever hardware hackathon at uOttawa
- Students worked on building physical hardware projects from scratch within a 12-hour timeframe, engaging in hands-on learning. They tackled challenges such as creating robots to analyze atmospheric conditions on a fictional planet
15:00–20:00
Canada hosted its first hardware hackathon for high school students, promoting accessibility and innovation in technology. In Toronto, community leaders condemned recent anti-Semitic shootings, prompting increased police presence around places of worship.
- Organizers of Canadas first-ever hardware hackathon for high school students emphasized accessibility, ensuring participation without financial barriers. Participants expressed excitement about meeting new people and innovating for the future, with many projects aimed at solving problems through technology
- Students showcased their projects, including robots designed to analyze atmospheric conditions, demonstrating hands-on learning and teamwork. The event filled a gap in Canada, inspired by similar opportunities that have primarily existed in the US
- Community leaders condemned recent shootings at synagogues in Toronto as hateful anti-Semitic acts that have shaken the Jewish community. In response, police increased patrols around places of worship and set up a command center to address public safety concerns
20:00–25:00
Gas prices in Ottawa have risen to approximately $1.52 per liter, influenced by geopolitical tensions related to the Middle East. Experts warn that high inflation could lead to a 0.7% increase in food prices due to rising diesel costs and the carbon tax.
- Ottawa gas prices have surged to approximately $1.52 per litre, driven by concerns over the ongoing war in the Middle East, which is expected to disrupt shipping at major Canadian ports. Experts predict that high inflation will affect consumers, with estimates suggesting food inflation could rise by as much as 0.7% due to rising diesel prices and the carbon tax
25:00–30:00
The BC government is actively recruiting healthcare workers from the U.S. due to a significant shortage of nurses in the province.
- The BC government is actively recruiting healthcare workers from the U.S. due to a significant shortage of nurses in the province. A grassroots social media campaign on TikTok has successfully attracted several healthcare professionals to consider moving to Canada