A new study on last year’s gas prices by CAA-Quebec shows Quebecers are paying more than they should at the pumps.
Their review of prices shows what the cost should have been, factoring in the price of crude oil, applicable taxes and an expectation of a realistic profit.
The study also reveals that the prices went up before many weekends. CAA-Quebec says this shows the phenomenon is “no longer just an urban legend.” Of 19 pre-weekend price hikes, one third were found to be completely unjustified by CAA-Quebec.
The average price paid for gas by Quebecers in 2014 was $1.38.
But some cities have it worse than others. CAA-Quebec identified the city of Sherbrooke having to deal with a “deceptive stability” of prices most often, meaning that pump prices were unjustifiably higher for longer periods. The automobile advocacy group blames the “blatant absence of competition” in Sherbrooke for the unfair price hikes.
The group adds that gas prices in Montreal are higher than in Toronto, due to Quebec’s emissions cap-and-trade scheme which began on January 1, 2015. They say these additional costs to retailers translate to higher purchase prices. However, CAA-Quebec has observed that those costs have not yet been passed on to consumers.
For the lowest gas prices in Montreal, check out CTV Montreal's price list.
