With the federal election scheduled for May 2, it is appropriate to approach your candidate as to what they will do for you and Canada with regard to the rising price of gasoline in Canada.
It is abundantly clear that Canada produces more oil than is required for domestic needs.
Overseas exporting oil producing countries are charging maximum prices for their product abroad, but the selling price for their domestic needs are mere pennies per gallon — like eight or nine cents.
When we consider our current cost of about $1.32 per litre, this translates to $5.98 per imperial gallon, Canadian price, whereas the average U.S. price of $3.48 per U.S. gallon (stated in last week’s news), translates to $4.18 per imperial gallon, or $1.80 less per gallon, and this is no doubt an extensively Canadian export.
At our domestic level, this is excessive profit by the oil companies, and the price of gasoline not only reflects our own consumption cost, but also affects most commodities at the retail level, resulting in a delay for our recovery of our current recession.
I realize that the gasoline tax is an excellent source for government coffers, and this is no doubt the reason for no action being taken to curtail further price increases. I conclude that the government must act in our interest, and constituent representatives must press for action in this regard, regardless of what party is elected to govern.
George Halter
Osoyoos