St. John’s, NL (March 20, 2025) – Lela Evans, Progressive Conservative MHA for Torngat Mountains, is expressing her deep disappointment following the Public Utilities Board (PUB) decision to increase the cost of gasoline, diesel, and stove oil in Northern Labrador. This change comes from the recent release of the Petroleum Products Pricing Review for Labrador.
“I am deeply disappointed that instead of lowering the cost of gasoline, diesel, or stove oil through their pricing review, the PUB chose to increase the cost of these essential fuels,” said Evans. “Residents of the North Coast will now be forced to pay more for these necessary fuels; I find this completely unacceptable. I also find it unacceptable that the PUB failed to properly consult with residents in my district, despite my repeated warnings that online and virtual consultations are totally inadequate.”
Evans believes the current petroleum pricing model fails to protect her constituents, especially when comparing the price of these essential fuels to other Labrador regions who pay less. Southern Labrador Zones 10 and 11, Central Labrador Zone 12, and Northern Labrador Zone 14 are all supplied seasonally by marine tanker so the transportation and storage of these essential fuels are similar. But Northern Labrador Zone 14 is charged 21 cents per litre of gasoline more than Zone 12.
“Residents of the North Coast of Labrador are paying much more for essential fuels, because they are forced to pay the highest mark-ups and zone differentials,” continued Evans. “We are paying mark-ups and zone differentials that are higher than other areas of Labrador who receive their fuel in the same way. I have to ask, why are we paying more for fuel when other communities who also receive their fuel by the same tanker pay less? This isn’t fair.”
Evans highlighted the impact that the high fuel prices have on her constituents. “High fuel prices have a detrimental impact. We rely on fuel to heat our homes. We depend on fuel for essential activities such as hunting and fishing. The PUB’s failure to lower these essential fuel costs ignores the realities of life in the north.”
Evans also criticized the PUB for its lack of meaningful engagement with residents during the consultation process.
“The PUB missed an opportunity to lower the costs of living for residents in Northern Labrador, they failed to properly consult,” added Evans. “I asked the PUB to hold an in-person consultation session to hear directly from residents about the hardship high fuel prices creates, because many residents lack sufficient internet access. I suggested this to the PUB in a meeting, over phone, and by letter – yet the PUB still failed to properly consult residents.”
“I will not allow the residents of the North Coast to be ignored. I will continue to advocate for lower gas, diesel, and stove oil prices for the people of Labrador. They deserve to be able to afford to live in their communities. They deserve better.”