On May 17, the price of one litre of gas in Sudbury was around $1.176. Just one hour or less east of us in Sturgeon Falls, the price was almost 15 cents lower, at $1.029 per litre. Why?
Two reasons: First, there are reportedly, two local prominent families that own or control almost all the gas stations in the Sudbury area, therefore, they are able to set whatever price they find most profitable.
Secondly, the Sturgeon Falls gas stations have to compete with First Nations gas selling much cheaper in the Laronde Creek area, just a short drive east of Sturgeon on Highway 17.
Nevertheless, it appears that Sudbury and area motorists have been getting rooked by higher than necessary gas prices for many years, and our government and politicians who may give lip service to the problem seem powerless or unwilling to correct it.
The province of Nova Scotia evidently has more concern for its residents in this matter, and have provincially regulated the price of gas, presently at $1.025 and steady. Nova Scotians don't have to rush to buy gas on Monday before the usually unwarranted Tuesday price hike in Ontario.
Ontario badly need a gas price regulation to stop this gouging, and politicians with enough gumption to act on it, not just talk about it.
Simon Guillet
New Sudbury