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Canadian sticker shock

campigloo
Explorer
Explorer
This is our first trip to Canada to amount to anything. We arrived in Calgary Tuesday afternoon. First shock was the gas pump. 82l of diesel for $152.00. I understand the exchange rate and all but I scraped my chin when I picked my jaw up off the ground. We went to buy beer today. $30.00 (22.50 American). At home it’s $12.50.
I know it’s just the way it is but geez; these people must make some serious money just to afford basics.
64 REPLIES 64

StirCrazy
Moderator
Moderator
campigloo wrote:
This is our first trip to Canada to amount to anything. We arrived in Calgary Tuesday afternoon. First shock was the gas pump. 82l of diesel for $152.00. I understand the exchange rate and all but I scraped my chin when I picked my jaw up off the ground. .


I'm not sure what gas station you went to but that works out to 1.85/L of diesel, no where in Canada is diesel that expensive. I could understand 104.00 for 82L if you were in BC but Alberta is cheaper than bc.


Use Gas buddy and if you see Diesel over 1.28/L drive to a different gas station.

Steve
2014 F350 6.7 Platinum
2016 Cougar 330RBK
1991 Slumber Queen WS100

owenssailor
Explorer
Explorer
westernrvparkowner wrote:
Fizz wrote:
Lot of people here are hung up on this “free” health care issue.
Yes we pay more taxes, lots and lots over a lifetime.
BUT! I will never go bankrupt or lose my house because of a medical bill.
How many of you know someone in that situation?
Not me. The people I know are responsible enough to have health insurance. Which, by the way, every US citizen is required by law to have. And if you cannot afford it, the premiums will either be subsidized by the government or you will be enrolled in Medicaid with no premium to pay. The only reason a US citizen is without health insurance is because they are irresponsible.


A quick note on bankruptcies dues to medical bills.
https://www.cnbc.com/id/100840148
2011 Jayco 28U
2012 Chev Silverado Crew Cab 5.3 6 spd 3.42 (sold)
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wilber1
Explorer
Explorer
It's all relative. We love New Zealand but Canada is inexpensive in comparison.
"Never trust a man who has not a single redeeming vice" WSC

2011 RAM 3500 SRW
2015 Grand Design Reflection 303RLS

enblethen
Nomad
Nomad
On many trips north the real thing that offends me is the da*n US travelers that cannot follow the Canadians and pick up after themselves.
Canada is very clean and they try to keep it that way.
Please help keep Canada beautiful!

Bud
USAF Retired
Pace Arrow


2003 Chev Ice Road Tracker

garyhaupt
Explorer
Explorer
I don't think that there is anything I have read in this thread that is going to change anyone's mind on anything. I do think..that if any of our brothers n sisters from below the 49th came up without doing some research on costs...well, that was stupid, wasn't it? Lots of US folks won't enter Canada due to our gun laws. Now, some won't come because of fuel costs..or liquor..or groceries. And you are right..it does cost more. Although with the 30% exchange rate, I think you aren't hurting as much as you claim. But, we are a sovereign nation...if we offend you, or hurt your feelings in some way? Maybe just stay home. You'll be happier.

Gary Haupt
I have a Blog..about stuff, some of which is RV'ing.

http://mrgwh.blogspot.ca/

campigloo
Explorer
Explorer
Yeah folks the shock is over. Just took a little adjusting but I like to think of myself as somewhat flexible. We made a road trip through Banff today scouting campgrounds and had a great time. No worries about burning a whole tank of diesel. One thing I noticed on a positive note is just like in the 48 those maximum numbers are merely a suggestion. Gotta love it!
Cheers!!!!

SideHillSoup
Explorer
Explorer
Couple point here.
I looked at Campigloo two posts and he doesn’t say the price per litre? I have kids in Calgary and have been running back and forth from BC to Calgary for years seeing the kids and buying fuel at the same time The price for gas and Diesel, never in all those years did I ever find a fuel station in Calgary that charged close to what B.C. charges for fuel. Alberta has the cheapest fuel in Canada, and if a gas station in Calgary charged that much for fuel they would soon be out of business. There is something missing here...
Yesterday I filled up my truck in South Eastern British Columbia where I live and I paid:
Diesel fuel- $1.39 Cnd for 97.087 L, for a total of $130.00 Cnd, I didn’t bat an eye. The lower mainland in BC ( Vancouver area) has the most expensive fuel in Canada, and we aren’t far behind it. BC stands for bring cash, but if you want to see our beautiful country, you have to spend the cash.... there is something missing in those calculations he gave.

You want sticker shock, figure out what a 7 day trip on a cruise ship costs. Then factor in booze, maybe some pictures that they conveniently take as you get in and off the ship. Plus maybe you want to buy something in one of the shops, like jewelry.... $$$$$ it adds up fast. But we love cruising and pay what it is to do it... next trip in USA dollars is well over $13,000 Canadian for 29 days South Pacific Cruise... still saving for that one.
The kicker is that you pay a fixed rate to tip the Crew ( I think is about $13 usd per guest per day now) Then if you have a Drink, they charge you a tax on top of the daily crew tip per every drink....$$$$$ + 30%
Maui.... price of honey dew Mellon.... wife didn’t look close and it was priced per pound, not price per Mellon.... it’s stayed at the till and I gave her CPR...lol....
But we love Maui and are planing on going back again.
And don’t forget on average we have to add 30% to the cost at the USA cash register, to roughly figure out how much it costs in Canadian $$$.

So what I am saying is, you want to travel you have pay what the price is no matter where you go in the world, or you can stay at home and watch TV.
Yes you can look for a deal or better prices we do all the time, but if you need it buy it. There are a few gas station in BC and Alberta that are a rip off no matter country you live in and both grossly take advantage of their location.
As tor Eagle Plain, how far away do you think the fuel supplier has to haul the fuel to get to Eagle Plain?
As for politics...
I have a lot of USA relatives and have been traveling south of 49 for well over 55 years. I remember my mom turning around to my sister and me in the back seat of my dads 56 Chevy 2 door and saying.... when we get to Portland... remember no politics or religious talk.... we were 3 and 5 we just kinda looked at each other...
Now a days my wife and I kinda do the same thing, it safer.... ( grin) Even when our relatives ask us what we think about their politics, I just say, I did it vote in your election, so I can’t comment on it.
End of story on politics, those are personal issues and shouldn’t be voiced on these kind of forms, or with my American relatives...;)
We are off to Haida Gwaii in a couple weeks, the cost for the ferry both ways is just over $800 cnd, we paid it why.... cause we want to go.
Don’t freak out of prices just have fun and enjoy yourself. Life is to short to worry about things you have no control over. However in this case you do have control, you can stay home and watch TV.
Soup.
2018 Northern Lite 8-11 EX Dry Bath
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Torklift Super Hitch 20K, 48" Super Truss, front and rear frame mounted tie downs
Fast Gun Long Range SS Turnbuckles, Fast Gun locks

westernrvparkow
Explorer
Explorer
Fizz wrote:
Lot of people here are hung up on this “free” health care issue.
Yes we pay more taxes, lots and lots over a lifetime.
BUT! I will never go bankrupt or lose my house because of a medical bill.
How many of you know someone in that situation?
Not me. The people I know are responsible enough to have health insurance. Which, by the way, every US citizen is required by law to have. And if you cannot afford it, the premiums will either be subsidized by the government or you will be enrolled in Medicaid with no premium to pay. The only reason a US citizen is without health insurance is because they are irresponsible.

westernrvparkow
Explorer
Explorer
pianotuna wrote:
Hi,

I snowbird for 120 days per year in USA. I spend far more per month in the south than I do in Canada. If I pull out entertainment, I still spend more in USA per month than I would in the great white north.

One difference is that Canada does not spend 57 cents of every dollar of tax revenue on military spending. That is how our other programs are funded.
It is common knowledge that should Canada ever be threatened the entire power of the US military would defend our northern neighbor. You are welcome!

rexlion
Explorer
Explorer
Crowe wrote:
I've traveled a lot in Canada and it's worth every penny. There is so much to see and do and it's a beautiful country with wonderful people. To me it's no different than plunking down well over $100 USD for a one-day visit to Disney or $500K on a MH. It is what it is. Sometimes you just have to put a sling under your jaw to hold it up.
Caviar and a Lamborghini are worth every penny, too... if one can afford them. 😉
Mike G.
Liberty is meaningless where the right to utter one's thoughts and opinions has ceased to exist. That, of all rights, is the dread of tyrants. --Frederick Douglass
photo: Yosemite Valley view from Taft Point

profdant139
Explorer II
Explorer II
I'm with Crowe -- yes, Canada is expensive. Yes, it is worth every loonie. It is a long drive for us, but we go whenever we have the time. We come from a place (California) that has world-class scenery, camping, and hiking. But Canada is in a class by itself.

My concern this year is that folks in Canada are probably not very happy about the state of relations between the US and Canada and may be a bit grouchy toward US citizens. Not sure what to do about that -- maybe paste a big "Please Don't Blame Me, I'm Apolitical" sticker on my truck and my trailer and hope for the best?? 😉
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Our trips -- pix and text
About our trailer
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pianotuna
Nomad III
Nomad III
Hi,

I snowbird for 120 days per year in USA. I spend far more per month in the south than I do in Canada. If I pull out entertainment, I still spend more in USA per month than I would in the great white north.

One difference is that Canada does not spend 57 cents of every dollar of tax revenue on military spending. That is how our other programs are funded.
Regards, Don
My ride is a 28 foot Class C, 256 watts solar, 556 amp-hours of Telcom jars, 3000 watt Magnum hybrid inverter, Sola Basic Autoformer, Microair Easy Start.

Community Alumni
Not applicable
This is an interesting topic but let’s not turn this thread into a health care debate.

Eric (Moderator)

IB853347201
Nomad
Nomad
owenssailor wrote:
I gladly pay more in taxes for fuel and he sin items such as beer and cigarettes so that all residents of Canada have full access to health care regardless of how much money they have. We don't have people going bankrupt if they get sick.


it people like you "I gladly pay more in taxes" that the politicians always quote when they increase taxes. Don't be so silly!
Do you even realize that 43% of the taxes you pay go into healthcare? Do you know how much healthcare insurance coverage you could buy in the US for that amount?
I mean really!!!!!
2010 Suncruiser

IB853347201
Nomad
Nomad
That's just part of the price of our "Free" healthcare! And of course the additional taxes levied by the socialist government in Alberta. if you think gas/diesel prices are high, you should see personal income tax! Way over 50% for anyone trying to make a decent living.
I always get a good laugh when my American friends tell me that they wish the US had similar "Free" healthcare.
2010 Suncruiser