OTTAWA – Irving Oil and a senior company executive are facing criminal charges for alleged price-fixing at gas stations in three Quebec cities.

The federal Competition Bureau says three charges of conspiracy are being laid against the Saint John-based company.

And the same three charges are also being laid against Irving’s manager for Quebec, Serge Parent.

The scheme allegedly took place in Victoriaville, Thetford Mines and Sherbrooke.

The federal bureau says it uncovered the plan using investigative tools, including searches and wiretaps.

It says it found evidence of gas retailers, or their representatives, communicating with each other to agree on the price
they should charge at the pumps.