Montreal gas price spikes

Montreal drivers were hit with a 14-cent jump in the price of gas Tuesday from an average of $1.30 per litre on Mondayto $1.44.

This is the second sharp increase since early January.

At that time, an energy consultant said the recent closure of a Shell refinery in the city was partly to blame for the price increase, as it reduced competition in the Montrealmarket.

CAA Quebec said thatbased on the market cost of gas and the average retail margin in Montreal, gas should be retailing for$1.39 per litre.

The national averageprice of gasoline on Tuesday was$1.28, rising a penny from a day earlier.