Radio-Canada Info has launched a new online tool providing real-time gasoline prices across the province of Quebec.
The tool allows motorists to compare fuel costs at various stations and track price trends. This transparency helps drivers locate the most affordable fuel options in an environment of fluctuating costs.
The dashboard utilizes data provided by the Régie de l’énergie du Québec [1]. By mapping prices across the entire province, the tool enables users to identify specific neighborhoods or retailers offering lower rates [2].
Fuel costs have seen significant movement in urban centers. The price of regular gasoline in Montreal previously rose above $2 per litre [3]. On a subsequent Monday, the average price for regular gasoline in Montreal was 201.7¢ per litre [3].
While some reports indicate that Costco stations in the Greater Montreal area consistently offer the lowest prices compared to brands such as Shell, Petro-Canada, Ultramar, or Couche-Tard, other data suggests the cheapest options vary by neighborhood [4]. The real-time nature of the new tool is intended to resolve these discrepancies by providing the most current updates available.
Presenters Édith Drouin, Olivier Bolduc-Coutu, and Guillaume Lepage said the tool is a means to increase consumer power [1]. The map provides a comprehensive view of the province, allowing users to visualize price-heat zones and avoid the most expensive stations during their commutes.
“The tool allows motorists to compare fuel costs at various stations and track price trends.”
The introduction of real-time, government-backed price tracking shifts the information advantage from retailers to consumers. By quantifying the price gap between competing stations in real time, the tool may force more competitive pricing across the province as motorists migrate toward the cheapest available options.
