The explosion in fuel prices, which have remained above the ordinary $2 a liter for a few days, might encourage Quebecers to review their summer vacation plans.
This is at least what suggests a sounding carried out yesterday by colleagues from TVA.
More remote regions, such as the Magdalen Islands, the North Shore, Gaspésie or Abitibi might suffer.
“Usually, we go around the lake. [Mais] at $2 a liter for gasoline, you think twice, confided for his part Claude Ellefsen, a resident of Saguenay. Yesterday (Monday) a full tank cost me $120. It’s crazy ! »
For him as for others, campgrounds might be an economical alternative. Campsites are also noticing a trend towards longer stays.
“We will stay longer, which will allow us to save a little on gas (sic), continues Mr. Ellefsen. We were planning to go to the Gaspé, but we won’t. »
While in Quebec, all the opposition parties yesterday demanded solutions from the Legault government, the United States faced the same movement. Yesterday, the average price of a gallon of gas (3.78 litres) there was US$4.37, a new record.
Huge appetite to leave
While acknowledging that these increases are a source of concern for many Quebecers, CAA-Quebec says it has not yet noticed any major changes in their travel intentions.
“Of course, a liter at $2.06 is not pleasant and can constitute a psychological barrier that will push some to revise their plans,” admits its spokesperson, Nicolas Ryan. But for the moment, this is not what we see. »
On the contrary, CAA says it notices a bigger appetite than usual for the holidays.
“Our agents in our travel division are so busy that people are being asked to book appointments to reduce wait times. We are also looking for a hundred workers to lend them a hand. »
Some compromised projects?
The latter estimates that an increase of 50 cents per liter of the ordinary for a vehicle consuming ten liters per 100 km will lead to a difference in consumption of $50 per 1000 km travelled.
This distance is equivalent to a round trip between Montreal and Dolbeau-Mistassini, in Lac-Saint-Jean. Or a round trip between Quebec and Sainte-Anne-des-Monts.
“After three years of pandemic, will people, even financially tight, prevent themselves from going to the Gaspé or elsewhere for a week for $50 more in gas? We do not know. But at this stage of the season, our impression is that this increase will in fact have little impact on the plans of most. »
– With Cloé Hudon, TVA Nouvelles
