(July 2, 2021) – PC Opposition Leader David Brazil is calling upon the Liberal Government to immediately take action to lower the cost of gasoline and other petroleum products in the province.

“Yesterday, gasoline prices increased by 5 cents per liter for the island, western Labrador, and Churchill Falls. While the price does vary by location, the majority of residents now have to pay $1.50 per litre for gasoline. This is unacceptable,” said Brazil.

Brazil continued to describe the impact this may have on people and businesses in our province.

“I am concerned that this exorbitantly high price of fuel will create financial pressures on families in the province who will now have to spend more money to travel throughout our province. I am also concerned that the high gas prices will result in increases to the cost of food and other essentials goods,” said Brazil.

“People should not have to pay more to live here.”

The Liberal government must take immediate action to reduce gasoline prices, said Brazil.

While the Minister will point to the PUB as the regulator of gasoline prices, government does have options:

· The Minister can ask the PUB to review how gasoline prices are set to find savings;

· The Minister can ask the PUB to remove the 5 cents per liter increase which was added when the Come by Chance refinery shut down in 2020;

· The Government could remove the HST on gasoline;

· The Premier could use his self-proclaimed friendship to ask the Prime Minister to decrease the Carbon Tax;

· The Government could reduce the provincial gasoline tax.

“The Liberals have options available to lower the price of gasoline,” said Brazil.

“I am concerned that high gasoline prices will do harm to our province, action must be taken to provide relief at the pumps.”

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Contacts:

David Maher

Director of Strategic Communications

(cell) 709-725-0984

DavidMaher@gov.nl.ca