At a time when the price of gas is just over $2 a litre, motorists in Fermont, on the North Shore, must pay $2.07 for their ordinary litre. Growth that is pushing some Lower Laurentians to review their vacations.
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Like the rest of the province, Eastern Quebec should experience another increase in prices at the pump. On the North Shore, some retailers now sell regular gasoline for $2.07 a liter. A new record that raises some concern among many consumers.
“Prices have looked like this since the holidays. That does not make any sense ! It’s so expensive,” said a man who lives in Fermont.
“I am a native of here so I have always known this situation. I am used to seeing the price of gasoline more expensive than elsewhere in Quebec,” said a lady.
Several factors explain this increase at the pump. “Currently, the price per barrel is around US$105. It is high and it is maintaining itself. There is also the local retailer who sets a price that seems acceptable to him,” explained the professor in the Department of Economics at the University of Ottawa, Jean-Thomas Bernard.
He recalls that the price of fuel could break records this summer. All the conditions are met to make the market jump. The tourist period will be an opportunity for retailers to increase their prices and for travelers to reorganize their stays.
“It is certain that we will remain close this summer. With the price of gas, we can’t afford to go very far,” said a citizen.
“Gasoline is very expensive. We will certainly reduce our holidays and even, at the present time, we often stay at home. We don’t go out a lot, ”said a Rimouski resident.
According to experts, the increase in the price of gasoline should continue until the fall, before hoping for a downward trend.
A rise that hurts
The $2 milestone was crossed on Friday at several service stations in Greater Montreal. Although the psychological bar is not crossed in all the gas stations of the region, the prices are high. In the last few days, the price at the pump fluctuated between $1.91 and $1.96 in Quebec and Montreal.