Ontario Fights for Fair Gasoline Prices in Northwestern Ontario

The Voice of Canada News:

Greg Rickford, Minister of Energy, Northern Development and Mines called on the Competition Bureau to review gasoline and diesel retail prices in northwestern Ontario.

“Our Government for the People has followed through and taken steps to cut gas prices in Ontario. Now we need to make sure those savings are being passed on to consumers across the province,” said Minister Rickford.

The government eliminated the cap-and-trade carbon tax of 4.3 cents per litre off the wholesale price of gasoline and 5.0 cents per litre off the wholesale price of diesel fuel.

Earlier this September, wholesalers began removing these costs from their prices and in most markets across Ontario, retail prices have decreased with this change. However, in northwestern Ontario, particularly in Kenora, Fort Frances, Dryden and Thunder Bay, these savings do not appear to have been shared with consumers.

“We’re seeing anomalies in northwestern Ontario retail fuel prices which may be evidence of a lack of competitive behaviour,” said Minister Rickford. “Given these observations, I am requesting that the Competition Bureau undertake a full review of gasoline and diesel retail pricing practices in northwestern Ontario.”

Ontario is committed to fair and competitive transportation fuel pricing, as part of its commitment to lower energy costs for all Ontarians.

Quick Facts

• Effective July 3, Ontario removed the cap-and-trade carbon tax costs of 4.3 cents per litre from the wholesale price of gasoline and 5.0 cents per litre from the wholesale price of diesel.
• On October 31, 2018, the government passed The Cap and Trade Cancellation Act, 2018.