Canada: Gas prices run Victoria’s meals off their wheels

Soaring gas prices have helped to kill Meals on Wheels in Victoria, and are threatening the program in other major Canadian cities.

Last week, Meals on Wheels in Victoria announced it would be shutting down after 35 years of service, citing gas prices as one of the main reasons. Yesterday, prices in Greater Victoria soared as high as $1.49.9 a litre, among the most expensive in the country.


“We would need an additional $2,000 a week to keep it going,” said Terry Prentice, Chair of the Meals on Wheels Committee. Mr. Prentice said the committee spent $750,000 a year on the service, providing 275 meals a day. Finding an extra $100,000 a year wasn’t feasible.

Food costs also figured into the equation. Mr. Prentice said the price of meals had been going up for years, and despite having a generous and understanding supplier, the numbers simply didn’t add up and the service was brought to a halt.

Problems like this are starting to pop up all over Canada. Kathryn Robson, manager of communications and development for Calgary Meals on Wheels, said more than 30,000 meals are delivered annually by some 650 volunteer drivers. She said she’s extremely worried the price at the pumps will force people to pull back on their commitment.

“Absolutely, it’s a real issue,” said Ms. Robson, who has noticed a sharp increase in the number of volunteers who are asking for reimbursement for their mileage. She also said people who at one point gave back their gas money are not doing so any more.

Globe and Mail