The Quebecers’ war effort began with an explosion in the price of gasoline, which jumped 17 cents in two days in Quebec and approached $2 a liter in certain regions.
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If the increase had already started to be felt for a few days, it even exceeded the psychological threshold of $2 in Fermont, in northern Quebec.
In the capital, the price at the pump shattered a historic record on Friday at $1.839 per liter at several gas stations.
Photo Diane Tremblay
In two days, gasoline in the Quebec region jumped 17 cents to settle in several places at $1.839 per liter yesterday, such as at this service station on the Sainte-Geneviève road.
In some places in the metropolitan area, the price at the pump was $1.90 Friday morning, for an average of $1.838 according to CAA-Quebec.
In Abitibi, the average was $1.695; in Saguenay, $1,666; and on the North Shore, $1,706.
It’s far from over
Gasoline has increased on average in Quebec by more than 54 cents in the last year.
“It’s a major issue and we can’t see the end right now. That’s what’s unfortunate,” says Carol Montreuil, vice-president of the Canadian Fuels Association, Eastern Canada.
And Quebecers have not finished tasting it, especially since the United States does not rule out banning the import of Russian oil in response to the invasion of Ukraine.
Such a decision could lead to a major surge in the price of black gold.
Mr. Montreuil rightly fears the impact of an escalation of the conflict.
“Everyone is hoping for an appeasement, but for the moment the situation is more pessimistic than optimistic for consumers in all countries. It’s true, not just for consumers in Quebec. »
Difficult to meet demand
Prior to the outbreak of this war, oil producers were unable to meet demand. Now, with the sanctions against Russia, it adds even more uncertainty.
“We don’t know how long this conflict will last or the extent of the sanctions. This is really what makes the situation very unpredictable,” adds Marc-Antoine Dumont, economist at Desjardins.
“The price of crude oil can be expected to remain high for some time, as the European Union and United States contingency plans unfold to replace this missing oil production and see how this is all going to play out,” Mr. Dumont continued.
It’s not just at the pump that people will feel the effects of this increase.
Major parcel delivery companies already have fuel surcharge policies in place.
For example, UPS currently charges an additional 24.50% for shipping within Canada, while Purolator adds a 20.75% surcharge.
Obviously, the bill will be passed on to consumers.
A decried increase
After the increase in food prices caused by two long years of pandemic, many motorists decried this new staggering increase.
“It’s boring, but we’re stuck with it. It is a fatality. It will encourage people to go for electric cars,” said André Létourneau, who had just swallowed $75 in his SUV.
Student at Laval University, Frédérique Bellemare, is limited to $20 per tank of gas.
” I do not work. I have no income. It’s not really fun. I don’t fill up anymore. It’s expensive. I put in $20 and I try to make it as long as possible with that,” he testified.
— With the collaboration of Pierre-Paul Biron, Marianne White and QMI Agency