Gas Prices - Prix d'essences (Municipality of Pontiac)

Attn: Natural Resources Canada; Régie de l'énergie du Québec & Competition Bureau of Canada, Ministère du Développement durable, de l'Environnement, de la Faune et des Parcs, Prime Minister of Canada, Elected Government Officials & Municipality of Pontiac. 

Citizens and Public consumers are paying high prices at the pump in our rural areas and we are not considered as a poor area according to your Government. Although many travel to nearby cities for Work, Errands, Medical Appointments, Groceries, Hospital etc. Plus pay for vehicle maintenance and parking etc. We have no similar access to Citizens living in City with lower gas prices to Public Transportation not available and no other options but to travel with our own vehicles or car pool to share cost.

Local Gas stations have a retail margin higher than the national average, according to Inquiry into Gasoline and Diesel Prices. 

Gas prices in our Municipality of Pontiac (Rural) are higher than in any neighbouring Community, even though we are neighbors to the City. The effective price difference when incorporating the tax, is that local prices can be up to many additional cents per litre more than Ottawa-Gatineau a neighboring City. Recent long-weekend saw prices hike additional cents per litre higher than nearby City. We are rural and do not have the population nor does everyone have finances available for this unacceptable reasoning. Families and individuals are struggling as it is to get by and to be able to enjoy a good quality of life as it is.

📣⛽ For the gas prices: Businesses have met with Minister of Finance & Mr. Fortin 6 years ago approximately to fight this high zoning prices. The price is determined by distance from a bridge example 0 to 5 km from bridge pay less; 5 to 10 km and then 15 km to 20 km and then more than 20 km we pay full tariff... Then there's areas that are considered "poor" Example: Otterlake they pay less. Many are also not working Residents nor middle class and have low incomes, low ressources, small businesses, seniors, students etc. No major Attraction nearby. We have near 6000 residents according to Municipal Affairs yet we are widely stretched along Highway 148 in Québec along many KM's with no other solution nor options. Plus with rise of the cost of living it's difficult for young families who want to establish here. Local gas stations have a higher margins. We pay more for a liter of gas than the City.

We understand that businesses, including gas stations, need to make money together and continue to operate. However operating at such extremely high prices for gasoline or diesel is not in the best interest of OUR community. Instead, it only serves to line the pockets of the Government, at the expense of the Residents & Public Consumers. 

Many consumers whom live and work do not have this luxury of a 100km+ round trip to shop for gas elsewhere so are being held to ransom by the Government and forced to pay the excessively high prices. 

This petition calls for elected representatives to protect their constituents, and investigate the price fixing and price gouging that is occurring by Government of Québec. Please help our Businesses and Citizens in rural areas whom are financially struggling as it is. 

https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/our-natural-resources/energy-sources-distribution/clean-fossil-fuels/22000

https://www.competitionbureau.gc.ca/eic/site/cb-bc.nsf/eng/04422.html

http://www.regie-energie.qc.ca/energie/petrole_tarifs.php

At the time of writing, pricing in different areas are as available to Governments online. 

Please consider lowered gas prices in rural areas for our 2 Local Businesses with Gas Stations in our Municipality of Pontiac for Visitors, Tourists, Students, Seniors, Adults every Residents and Citizens of our rural area. 

Concerned Citizens of Municipality of Pontiac (Taxpayers & Residents). 

Residents and Citizens of Municipality of Pontiac    Contact the author of the petition