Gas prices: Montreal reaches another record high of $2.15 per litre
Montreal commuters woke up to spiking gas prices as some stations' price for regular is currently a record high and over $2.15-per-litre.
According to the website that tracks prices - GasBuddy - the Costco Wholesale pump ($1.95) in Verdun and the Petro-Pass on Cote-de-Liesse in Dorval ($1.89) were the cheapest on the island first thing in the morning.
The majority of the pumps' regular fuel price was $2.09 or higher.
Those scowling at the price tick up as they put 40 litres in their SUV may take some grudging solace in the fact that they are not filling up in metro Vancouver where prices are as high as $2.33-per-litre.
Many experts have attributed soaring gas prices to market destabilization brought on by Russia's attack on Ukraine, as well as recovering global demand as COVID-19 restrictions ease.
Parti Quebecois leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon proposed a limit of $1.60-per-litre for gas prices across the province with the difference to be paid by oil producers.
He called the gas prices "grand theft."
Montreal Economic Institute (MEI) director of operations Miguel Ouellette said that while the intention of the proposal may be positive in terms of reducing costs for families, it "ignores basic economic notions" and is counterproductive.
"With our governments' substantial taxes on gasoline - which account for more than a third of the price - and minimum pump prices that undermine competition, the 'robbery' Mr. Plamondon referred to is more likely to be on the government's side," said Ouellette. "Our elected officials should focus on eliminating the measures currently in place that artificially increase the price at the pump."
Capping gas prices without consequences, Ouellette said, was like a "Disney story." He said if prices were capped, it would force refineries in the province to stop sourcing oil at a price that would make any profit.
The MEI suggests, rather, abolishing the minimum price and provincial gas taxes.
"We currently pay about 60 cents per litre in taxes, which is one of the highest amounts in North America," said MEI public policy analyst Gabriel Giguere. "We must not forget that these taxes on gasoline are reflected in the price of food, clothing and transportation in general, which accentuates the inflationary spiral we are currently experiencing."
Revenu Quebec currently takes $0.192 per litre for gas and $0.2020 for diesel in provincial gas tax. In addition, the province's 9.925 per cent Quebec Service Tax (QST) adds around $0.21-per-litre.
Eliminating both taxes, the MEI says, would cut prices at the pump by 40 cents.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NDP motion regarding Palestinian statehood passes after major Liberal alterations
A motion from the federal New Democrats initially calling on Canada to recognize the 'State of Palestine' passed amid widespread acrimony on Monday, after the Liberals drastically altered its wording to see the government simply work towards that aim as part of a two-state solution.
'He didn't want to die': Family of Calgary man killed in standoff speaks out
Family of a Calgary man killed after a 30-hour standoff with police last week are speaking out, sharing details of the tense and heart-wrenching experience.
Toronto family doctor who called patient's body 'perfect' suspended for 3 months: tribunal
A family doctor in Toronto has been suspended for three months after a disciplinary tribunal found that he failed to follow proper protocols while examining a patient's breasts and made inappropriate comments about her body.
Ohio mom who left toddler alone 10 days when she went on vacation pleads guilty to aggravated murder
An Ohio mother whose 16-month-old daughter died after being left home alone in a playpen for 10 days last summer while she went on vacation was sentenced Monday to life in prison with no chance of parole.
Retired teacher pleads guilty to paying for sex with 15-year-old in Collingwood, Ont.
In a Barrie courtroom on Monday, a retired high school teacher from the Niagara Region pleaded guilty to sexual touching and obtaining sexual services from a 15-year-old boy in Collingwood in 2021.
Hertz CEO out following electric car 'horror show'
The company, which announced in January it was selling 20,000 of the electric vehicles in its fleet, or about a third of the EVs it owned, is now replacing the CEO who helped build up that fleet, giving it the company’s fifth boss in just four years.
5 charged in Calgary kidnappings that targeted women
Calgary police have charged five men in a pair of kidnappings last year that targeted innocent victims.
Demand soars for solar eclipse glasses in Canada. Are they worth buying?
The demand for total solar eclipse glasses used to safely view the rare celestial event has been ramping up as sellers, along with astronomy and eye-care experts in Canada, warn that viewing the eclipse with the naked eye is dangerous.
Canadian commander of volunteer fighter group dies in Ukraine
A Canadian-born commander of the so-called Norman Brigade, a volunteer fighting group in Ukraine, has died.