"I'M GETTIN' A REAL STRONG PUMPIN' HAND": Bill McMitchum fills up for the 13th time of the day at a Montreal gas station.

The high price of gas has infuriated many a Canadian in recent weeks, but hey, whaddya gonna do, right?

Well, Bill McMitchum of North Bay, Ontario has spoken with his right foot, that being the foot that puts the pedal to the metal. Over the weekend, the 34-year-old father of two embarked on an 11-hour round trip journey from his home to a gas station in the East End of Montreal to fill up his 2004 Cadillac Escalade sport utility vehicle.

"I wanted to make a statement," said McMitchum. "I don't want these gas companies getting one extra cent from me."

In the course of his six hours of daily research for the lowest prices in the country, the gas crusader found a station in Montreal selling gas for 87.3 cents a litre, whereas he was paying 87.9 cents per litre at the gas retailer near his North Bay home. "It was kind of surprising, because I was always of the perception that gas is more expensive in Montreal, but that's why you gotta be a diligent consumer and do your homework."

His information in hand, off he went in his remarkably inefficient vehicle, embarking on a five and a half hour drive, to save six tenths of a cent per litre on gas. As it turned out, he's wound up spending more time in the Montreal area than anticipated.

"The needle started to get kinda low again once I hit the Quebec-Ontario border on the way back to North Bay," explained McMitchum of his journey, "so I had to turn around about half an hour outside of Ottawa so that I could fill up one more time back in Montreal. Now, I'm looking for an apartment to rent here, until prices start to change again in five minutes."

McMitchum estimates he's spent approximately 4,000 dollars in gasoline during the past two weeks, just so he can find the cheapest gas. He has quit his job as a telephone repairman to devote every waking moment to researching gas prices across Eastern Canada. "I have an army of scouts roaming the Eastern half of the country, from the Ontario-Manitoba border down into the Maritimes and Newfoundland. In fact, I just got an e-mail on my blackberry from one of my contacts, telling me that it's down to 86.8 in Corner Brook, so I think that's my next trip.

"Not as cheap as the place down the street, but I'm gettin' sick of driving."

"You have to speak with your pocketbook. Let these gas companies know that you're not gonna be taken for a sucker by them. It's time to fight back."

Friends of the young family man aren't surprised with the courage of McMitchum's convictions.

"When Bill gets his mind set on something, he becomes very focused-no matter how pointless it is," said John Werckmer, McMitchum's long-time friend and former colleague. "He's letting the gas companies know that he refuses to be gouged. I'm…really sure that they're taking notice."

McMitchun realizes that to be as committed as he is, it takes sacrifice, including time with loved ones.

"My wife isn't exactly...talking to me right now, and my kids haven't been seeing me much either, but they understand that Daddy's doing something really important. I think they're proud of me.

"This is more than a hobby. It's a passion."