In 2022 and 2023, the profit margins of gas stations in the Capitale-Nationale and Chaudière-Appalaches regions were higher than those of other regions of Quebec. Concerned, the Minister of Economy, Innovation and Energy Pierre Fitzgibbon asked the Régie de l’énergie to look into the matter.
According to the Régie de l’énergie du Québec, the average margin charged at retail by the various gas stations in 2022 was 13.4 cents per liter in the Capitale-Nationale, and 13.5 cents per liter in Chaudière- Appalachia. However, in Quebec as a whole, this margin was only 10.4 cents.
The situation did not improve in 2023. In the first five months of the year, the average margin taken at retail was 15.2 cents per liter in Capitale-Nationale and 13.9 cents per liter in Chaudière. -Appalachia. In the rest of the province, this margin was down to 9.7 cents per liter.
“I find the variation in prices between this year and previous years to be concerning,” Mr. Fitzgibbon said in a press release on Friday. “I want the Authority to shed light on these figures. »
At the end of the day on Friday, the minister said he wanted to obtain the opinion of the Régie de l’énergie concerning the deviations observed, both in the Capitale-Nationale and in the neighboring region of Chaudière-Appalaches.
He also asks the Régie de l’énergie to document any other significant deviations in other regions. “Concerned by the situation, the Minister requires a detailed study of the various factors that may explain the variations,” the statement read.
Finally, Mr. Fitzgibbon wants the Régie to propose solutions to improve Quebecers’ access to “quality information on fluctuations in the prices of petroleum products and their components”.
It should be noted that the Régie de l’énergie du Québec has powers to monitor the prices of petroleum products. In particular, it can carry out inspections and investigations.
