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Stop gas gouging in Northern Ontario, says NDP

'Gas prices remain far higher in Northern Ontario than in the South'
150322_gas pump pexels-skitterphoto-9796

NDP MPP for Thunder Bay–Superior North, Lise Vaugeois, is calling on Doug Ford to put a stop to gas price gouging that leaves northerners paying more at the pumps.

“Gas prices remain far higher in northern Ontario than in the South,” Vaugeois said during question period Thursday. “In the northwest, the average cost of gas was 30 cents more per litre than in the Greater Toronto Area. Even in the North, the price can range drastically from town to town for no discernible reason.”

Gas prices in North Bay sit at $1.65 per regular litre. In Orillia today it's $1.45 and in Toronto $1.52.

Over two years ago Ontario Premier Doug Ford told a news conference in Toronto that much higher gas prices in northern Ontario are 'totally' unfair' and that Minister of Energy Greg Rickford is "all over this."

"Are the gas companies just trying to gouge people." Ford wondered aloud. "We're going to get an explanation of the gas prices because it's unacceptable. Absolutely unacceptable."

So far, Rickford has taken no action on Ford's promise.

See: Gas price difference in northern Ontario 'totally unfair' says Ford

And:Bill to stop the spikes in gas prices ignored by the government says NDP

And: Gas prices going crazy! Top $1.85 in North Bay

Vaugeois said the provincial government should be regulating gas prices to bring relief to northerners.

“Oil and gas companies, who continue to rack up huge profits, are gouging people in the north,” said Vaugeois. “Just ask the Minister of Northern Development who said last week, ‘I can’t explain the price variations in the North… it’s a bit of a Wild West phenomenon.’

“I am calling on the Conservative government to rein in the companies that are gouging drivers at the gas pumps in northern Ontario.”


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