Farmers and shoppers feel the effects as Montreal gas prices soar past $2 again
Gas prices at some Montreal service stations have surpassed $2 per litre yet again.
Nevertheless, CAA-Quebec recommends it is still a good time to fill the tank.
"The average pump price is lower than the realistic price," the organization notes.
For those whose business operations depend on fuel costs, the spike is felt very quickly.
Phil Quinn runs Quinn Farm in Ile Perrot, and was shocked to see the latest price hike.
"It's higher than we've ever, ever ever seen, and our biggest tractor cost us $1,300 to fill up this morning," he said.
Last year, Quinn said the same tractor cost $400 to fill up.
The average price at the pump Friday is currently 196.0 and the realistic price is 197.2.
This is compared to the weekly average of 192.1 and the monthly average of 177.1
High fuel costs will have a ripple effect across the province, particularly hitting farmers hard.
"We're seriously going to have to revisit the price of everything we do," said Quinn.
Quebec currently boasts the third highest gas prices in the country, following British Columbia at 205.2 and Newfoundland and Labrador at 204.8.
The war in Ukraine is proving to be a contributing factor on the cost of fuel.
"What we're living now has nothing to do with Montreal or Quebec," said Canadian Fuels Association vice president Carol Montreiul. "It is historical, unprecedented, and it is an energy crisis."
Experts are worried that Quebec's high fuel costs will trigger everything to go up in price.
"It will become a factor that will contribute to a higher inflation rate eventually," said Dalhousie University agribusiness professor Sylvain Charlebois.
Farmers like Quinn will have to make some tough decisions in the coming months if prices remain high.
"Some farmers are actually considering not seeding because the cost has gotten too high, so that's going to affect food security on one side," said Charlebois.
Quinn said he's planting fruits and vegetables this year, but he will adjust the prices.
"A 20-pound bag of apples sold for $25, (and) it's going to have to be $35 this year to keep the same margins," he said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Stamp prices rise for the third time in five years amid financial woes for Canada Post
Canada Post is increasing stamp prices for the third time since 2019, a move the Crown corporation says is a "reality" of its sales-based revenue structure.
NDP calls out Conservatives for effort to squash pharmacare legislation
The federal New Democrats are calling out Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and his party for trying to block the bill that could pave the way for millions of Canadians to access birth control and diabetes coverage.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
Ontario MPP asked again to leave Ontario legislature over keffiyeh, Speaker loosens ban
An Ontario MPP was asked again to leave the Ontario legislature on Monday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment that was banned by the Speaker last month due to its political symbolism.
WATCH Avian flu: Risk to humans grows as outbreaks spread, warns expert
H5N1 or avian flu is decimating wildlife around the world and is now spreading among cattle in the United States, sparking concerns about 'pandemic potential' for humans. Now a health expert is urging Canada to scale up surveillance north of the border.
Trudeau Liberals to unveil new bill Monday aimed at countering foreign interference
Democratic Institutions Minister Dominic LeBlanc will be tabling legislation on Monday aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada. Federal officials have scheduled a technical briefing on the incoming bill for Monday afternoon.
Human remains were found at a former Hitler base, but decay prevents determining the cause of death
Polish prosecutors have discontinued an investigation into human skeletons found at a site where German dictator Adolf Hitler and other Nazi leaders spent time during the Second World War because the advanced state of decay made it impossible to determine the cause of death, a spokesman said Monday.