Many motorists got a rude awakening this week when gas prices hit a record $1.53 a litre. 

Now, the NDP is calling on Ottawa to do something to bring prices down.

"Like all Montrealers, we're all scratching our heads about why gas is so expensive," says Jamie Nicholls, the NDP Natural Resources and Energy critic.

The official opposition in Ottawa is calling on the Conservatives to create an ombudsman position to monitor gas prices.

"That person would also collect complaints from drivers," he says, "and create a report that could really have some weight in front of the Competition Bureau."

He adds he is suspicious of collusion or price fixing in the oil industry, as many people are, and is asking the government to toughen the rules to prevent that from happening.

The MP is also calling on the Federal government to stop subsidizing the gas companies to the tune of $1.3 billion a year. 

"Those are your taxes that are going towards this industry and you are not seeing any benefit at the pump."