Gas Pumps Inaccurate, Figures

Minority Watch

When the news broke about how at least 5% of the gas pumps were short changing the consumer, it really didn’t shock me, though it seemed to have shocked many. Maybe it is being so jaded, or simply disillusioned by Business these days, but the only thing that surprised me, was that it was only 5% of the pumps.

However, Kudo’s to Mr Prentice our Minister of Industry who has upped the fines to these Crooks, and to getting the Government Agency in charge to up its inspections as well. At last, something Stephen Harper and his party can actually crow about, that is right.

“These will increase the onus upon gas retailers,” Prentice said. “Fines will be increased from $1,000 per occurrence to $10,000 per occurrence. In addition, there will be even higher fines for aggravated circumstances.”

Prentice’s statements came after a report published earlier in the day stated that consumers often pay for more gas than they actually put in their tanks.

According to the Ottawa Citizen, between Jan. 1, 1999, and Aug. 28, 2007, nearly five per cent of gas pumps tested in Canada failed government inspections by dispensing less fuel than they should have. (Source - CBC News)

While I applaud the move, it isn’t enough. I know, Rome wasn’t built in a day, but come on here. It is a simple economic fact, that as long as gas remains high, inflation will increase, jobs will decline, and the cost of living is going to go up. That does not spell good for any economy, no matter how strong it might perceived to be. I know it is hurting, by simply looking at my own grocery bill.

They can say prices are only up a few points, but have you checked the price of Bread? How about Chicken or Hamburger? There is no doubt that prices are rising faster than wages, and that spells trouble, so we need more than just stiffer fines for these Crooks. Besides, this is a tip of the iceberg, and the Tories know it. After all, they are in power thanks to the funding by the Oil Industry, just as George Bush is in office due to their funding.

Oil Companies are recording record profits, prices rise, but they never fall. I mean think about it for a second. If the price per liter or gallon goes up 5¢, then the price per barrel drops back to its old level, how come the price per liter/gallon only goes down 2 or 3¢?

What we truly do need is a regulatory body, that assesses the cost to the industry, and then either allows the increase or rolls it back, just as the CRTC¹ monitors the telecom industry. Even our Utilities are properly regulated, though lately they have been sort of stripped of their powers, but at least there is some accountability. As it stands now, there is none, and we can see the results each time we fill up our vehicles.

Regulation needs to include the Oil and Gas Industry, as it effects the entire economic fabric of our country. Higher prices means higher cost of production, and if business can’t make a profit in producing its goods in Canada, well have you checked the recalls lately? That is the result of Business going elsewhere to produce its goods for sale in Canada, and the United States.

I believe in business, but I also believe in responsibility to one’s fellow man. I want to make a profit on what I sell, but I want to sleep at night, I want to look at myself in the mirror in the morning and not hate myself. So for me, obscene profits are not in the cards. Maybe that makes me a rotten businessman, but in all honesty, I think it makes me a decent member of the Human Race.

Those are my Values, funny how Stephen Harper talks a lot about values, but his seem to be, that whatever a company can charge is just fine and dandy with him. After all, he can afford to pay their prices, but then, we pay for his expenses, don’t we?

Ian @ May 13, 2008