I don't know that it's poorer quality gasoline.. I'm pretty sure it all comes out of the same tank. There may be different additives though. And the reason we pay SOOOOO much is because of all the tax the gov't puts on all of it. Do you ever go to Petro Canada? That's the only place I buy gas, and they have a break down of how much is tax and how much is the price of gas. The tax is around 50%, maybe a bit more!!