Sudbury·Audio

Greater Sudbury gas price watchdogs get picky about where they pump

Some drivers in the Valley area of Greater Sudbury are hoping to bring down gas prices by being particular about where they pump.
If you were filling your tank in northern Ontario last week, you paid 26-cents more per litre than southern Ontarians. (Nichole Huck/CBC)
Northerners complaining about the price of gas isn't new, but some folks in the Valley East area of Greater Sudbury are taking a new approach. They're boycotting big chain gas stations. We heard from Mike Archibald who first proposed the idea.

Some drivers in the Valley area of Greater Sudbury are hoping to bring down gas prices by being particular about where they pump.

They have organized a boycott of big chain gas stations in Hanmer and Val Caron through the Valley East Facebook page.

Mike Archibald was the first to suggest that citizens only buy gas at independent retailers or stations with the lowest prices.

Getting people talking about gas prices is his main goal and isn't really sure if the gas companies will react, he told CBC News.

"Obviously, when gas prices match Sturgeon Falls, then you know you've had a victory."

Archibald said he can't understand why gas is consistently cheaper in Sturgeon Falls than it is in Greater Sudbury.

According to gasbuddy.com, people were paying 99.3 cents a litre to fill up in Hanmer Thursday morning, while those in Sturgeon were paying about 95.7.

Archibald said he was inspired to tackle gas prices after hearing his neighbours constantly complain about rising taxes and water bills.

"[And] when you start mentioning about gas prices, well, here's where even more money is coming out of people's pockets and you get nothing for it."