LONDON, ON and WASHINGTON, D.C. — Average prices for diesel fuel in Canada and the U.S. moved in opposite directions over the past week.

The petroleum information services provider The Kent Group Ltd. reports the average Canadian price is up $0.003 from last week to $1.036 per liter. This is the second straight weekly increase since hitting its lowest level in several years the first week of the month.

Despite the small hike the average cost is $0.256 less than compared to this week in 2014.

In the four main regions of Canada this week the following average were reported: $1.048 per liter in the Atlantic Provinces, $1.093 in Quebec, $1.006 in Ontario and $1.051 in the Western Provinces.

In contrast, the average Canadian price of regular grade gasoline fell $0.019 from last week when rounded off to $1.071 per liter. This marks the fourth consecutive weekly drop, falling $0.117 during this time, and is the lowest price since March 31.

Compared to the same time a year ago the average price of regular grade gasoline is $0.228 less per liter.

Meantime, in the U.S. the average cost of diesel fell US$0.017 over the past week to US$2.517 per gallon following the first weekly hike last week since early May, according to the U.S. Energy Department.

The current price is the lowest since July 2009 and US$1.284 per gallon less than this time in 2014.

Gasoline also fell south of the border shedding US$0.062 over the past week for an average of US$2.375 per gallon, down US$1.033 over the past year.