A Superior Court judge has approved a class-action lawsuit against gas stations that admitted to fixing prices in towns east of Montreal.

The Automobile Protection Agency and two other litigants filed the suit, demanding compensation from businesses and individuals who fixed gas prices in Sherbrooke, Victoriaville, Magog and Thetford Mines.

The plaintiffs want the judge to award cash to people who filled up from January 1, 2002 to June 30, 2006.

The suit alleges that clients were overpaying anywhere from $0.02 to $0.10 per litre during that time period - which adds up to hundreds of dollars per client.

"One defendant came up with a figure of $351 per consumer," said lawyer Guy Paquette.

If the class-action lawsuit is successful, it could cost the gas companies up to $15 million.

Busted

A number of individuals have pleaded guilty to the price-fixing scheme.

Charges were laid in June 2008 following a three-year investigation by the Competition Bureau of Canada.

In all, eight people and five companies have pleaded guilty in the case.

Reaction

George Iny, president of the Automobile Protection Association, says he's pleased with the superior court ruling.

"It's a very big day ... we're hoping to send a message that if you are guilty of a practice that is not legal in relation to your retailing, that you need to consider some sort of restitution for your clients," he said.

Anyone who thinks they might qualify for the class action should email the Lebel Avocats law firm at lebelavocats@videotron.ca

Please provide a name, phone number and address.

Also mention the date and town in which the gas was purchased.