On the Friday morning just before the May long weekend, Nickel Belt MPP France Gélinas and Sudbury candidate Jamie West took some time to talk gas prices.
Gélinas and West stood at the corner of Lasalle Boulevard and Barrydowne Road, where the price of gas at the surrounding stations was upwards of $1.33 a litre. This weekend could be the last weekend that Sudburians see those huge spikes in gas prices, should they elect an NDP government on June 7, said Gélinas.
“It's the long weekend in May, it's the opening of pickerel season, everyone is going to be out on the lakes fishing, and we need gas for our motors and for our vehicles to get to those lakes, and how does the industry respond? By raising the price of gas,” she said. “Enough of that.”
An NDP government would regulate gas prices, which would put an end to the wild price fluctuations between urban and rural communities, Gélinas said.
“There is no economic reason for the price of gas to go up before a long weekend,” she said. “They do this because they want to maximize profit at our expense.
“I have no problem with businesses making a profit, but it has to be reasonable, and it has been proven that if you regulate this industry, those businesses can still make a good profit and protect the consumer at the same time. People have been asking for this for a very long time.”
The NDP points to the provinces of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, PEI, Newfoundland and Labrador and Quebec.
“These provinces have regulated the price of gas for years now, and they pay less than we do,” Gélinas said. “The price of gas can be regulated.”
Sudbury MPP and energy minister Glenn Thibeault issued a statement following the NDP's press conference, refuting those faces. He said the data shows that regulation reduces volatility but increases prices.
“The NDP stunt to regulate gasoline will cost Sudburians more at the pumps,” Thibeault said in the statement. “Look at the provinces who regulate their gas prices right now: Newfoundland, PEI, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Quebec. Drivers in those provinces see fewer price changes, but they end up paying more on average than other Canadians. Families end up with the short end of the stick.”
Increased competition from bigger retailers brings prices down, he said, which is why he said he's been in touch with Costco to bring a gas bar to Sudbury.
“I’m pushing to make this a reality and to bring prices down for the people of Sudbury,” he said. “We’re also bringing an independent gas watchdog to Ontario to review gas price competition, and to keep us from getting gouged.”
