Gas prices have been slowly rising in the province, and according to Canadians for Affordable Energy president Dan McTeague, drivers will probably just have to get used to it for a while yet as it shows no signs of slowing.

"We're seeing near-record prices all throughout North America.  We're not exempt from this anywhere here in Saskatchewan so prices have jumped up to $1.39, $1.42, so really a sign of things to come for oil prices moving up to the $80 range, Canadian select oil moving up towards $83 a barrel."

He believes that it's a reflection of global trends and that while we might be doing better than a number of other countries that are in the midst of borderline energy crises, prices for not only gasoline, but a number of other related costs will likely continue to climb through the winter.

"Aa shortage of energy products and a surging demand that makes a perfect storm for consumers. Of course, this isn't about to end anytime soon, we're lucky to look at higher prices continuing over the next year or so."

Diesel, which is especially important in the southwest farming communities is also seeing an increase, as well as natural gas and coal.

"Most importantly, here in the west, Saskatchewan diesel prices, which haven't been anywhere near where they're likely to be over the next several months, including propane and of course natural gas prices, though natural gas is hedged by the province so we get a bit of a break there," said McTeague," In most other jurisdictions across the world natural gas, heating oil, diesel, are making a massive increase in prices never seen before.'

"The price of thermal coal is going up. It's actually doubled on international markets. so that, in turn, could make for quite a challenge on electricity prices."

According to the latest numbers from gasbuddy.com, prices in Swift Current are hovering at 143.9, which is slightly below the provincial average of 1.49.