Gasoline prices have jumped to their highest level since the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, according to a weekly national pump price survey. 

The average price of a litre of regular gas in the country's major markets has risen to $1.156, Calgary-based MJ Ervin & Associates reported Tuesday.

Gasoline is most expensive in British Columbia and cheapest in Ontario, according to a new survey of gas prices
(Canadian Press/Jonathan Hayward)

That's up 2.6 cents from last week's survey and is the second-highest average the company has found since it began its surveys 20 years ago.

The highest pump prices were found in the survey of Sept. 6, 2005. That's when Hurricane Katrina knocked many oil platforms and refineries out of service.

The cheapest gas among the 60 communities in the MJ Ervin survey was found in Ontario. A litre of regular gas in Thunder Bay could be bought for less than $1.03, while prices in most cities in southern Ontario hovered between $1.05 and $1.10.

The biggest weekly jumps came in North Bay (+10.2 cents to $1.128) and in Alberta, where prices rose by 8.5 cents in Calgary and 9.0 cents in Edmonton (up to $1.179 in both cities).

Some of Canada's most expensive gas can be found in British Columbia. Kelowna (at $1.283 a litre) is the most expensive city in Canada for a fill-up.

Many drivers complained that gas prices suddenly jumped just before the Victoria Day long weekend.

The Consumer Association of Canada and some opposition politicians have called for an inquiry into gas prices, alleging gouging by oil companies. But the companies say prices are high because supplies remain tight and demand is strong.   

Gas price in the United States rose to an all-time high of $3.209 US per U.S. gallon Tuesday, according to a national survey by the American Automobile Association.  

Crude oil futures fell below $65 US a barrel in New York trading Tuesday. A weekly inventory survey on Wednesday is expected to show supplies of gasoline have risen in the last week.