Motorists across the Durham Region are being urged to hold off on filling their tanks until the end of the week. Following a historic overnight announcement of a two-week ceasefire between the United States, Israel, and Iran, global oil prices have plummeted. For drivers in Oshawa and Whitby, this translates to a massive drop in gas prices that could see rates fall by more than 12 cents per litre by Friday morning.
Ceasefire Ends Energy Market Turmoil
The conflict, which has raged since late February 2026, had pushed fuel prices to nearly $2.00 per litre in parts of the GTA. The breakthrough came late Tuesday when U.S. President Donald Trump agreed to a 14-day suspension of hostilities and a reopening of the Strait of Hormuz—a vital passage that handles one-fifth of the world’s oil.
Analyst Dan McTeague, President of Canadians for Affordable Energy, confirmed that the impact on local pumps will be “dramatic and sudden.” While a small two-cent decrease is expected on Thursday, bringing prices to roughly $1.869, the massive drop in gas prices will fully arrive on Friday, April 10. McTeague predicts a minimum 12-cent decrease, though he noted that if market stability holds, the relief could be as high as 17 cents per litre.
The “Summer Blend” Offset
While the ceasefire news is a welcome relief for commuters in Ajax and Pickering, experts warn that we may not see a return to early 2026 levels just yet. Next week, Ontario refineries are scheduled to switch from winter-grade to summer-grade gasoline. This seasonal transition typically adds about seven cents per litre to the base price.
“We probably won’t even notice the summer gasoline switch-over next week because this ceasefire drop is so significant,” McTeague noted. Essentially, the peace-driven massive drop in gas prices will absorb the typical spring price hike, sparing Durham residents from the feared $2.00/L threshold that seemed inevitable only days ago.
Advice for Durham Drivers
If you are running on empty in Clarington or Scugog, the advice is simple: buy just enough fuel to get through Thursday. Waiting until Friday morning to do a full fill-up could save the average driver between $10 and $15 per tank.
This ceasefire marks the first significant step back from an “apocalyptic” energy crisis that has gripped the province for seven weeks. For now, the massive drop in gas prices offers a temporary “cushion the blow” for residents who have been hit hard by the inflationary pressures of the Middle East war.
