Several dozen Quebec gas stations are being investigated for price-fixing, the federal Competition Burea has confirmed to CBC News.
Armed with search warrants, bureau officials and RCMP officers swooped down on more than 80 gas stations in Quebec, mostly around Sherbrooke and Victoriaville, according to a statement issued by the bureau on Friday morning.
The statement says there is no conclusion of wrongdoing at this time, and no charges have been laid.
"The type of accusations are criminal in nature, price fixing, predatory behaviour in the market … they are very serious allegations," said Carol Montreuil, eastern vice-president for the Canadian Petroleum Products Institute.
The institute represents the country's largest gas companies, including some that are co-operating with the investigation.
The bureau has consistently cleared the larger gas companies of unlawfully setting prices, Montreuil said.
"Is it possible that on a very specific basis — a very specific basis — a specific individual didn't act according to the law? Of course, everything is possible," Montreuil said Friday.