ST. ANDREWS, New Brunswick – Canada’s energy ministers say they have no control over volatile petroleum prices and they’re warning Canadians to prepare for a tough winter.

Between lobster dinners and golf games at a pricey New Brunswick resort, the provincial and territorial ministers had nothing but bleak news Tuesday as they advised Canadians to tighten their belts for the coming energy chill.

“I want to emphasize that this country is going to have a tough winter,” said Ontario Energy Minister Dwight Duncan.

The ministers wanted to send a message to Ottawa that it’s time to dig into the federal surplus to start helping Canadians struggling with high gas and home heating bills.

The federal government is expected to rake in over $30 billion (Canadian) in the next five years from gasoline taxes alone.