Editor:
The Sunshine Coast Labour Council is taking issue with the continued overpricing of gasoline and diesel on the Sunshine Coast.
While crude oil prices are at a long-term low, the price of gasoline has soared; it has come to the point where some residents are having to choose between gas and groceries. Residents are being charged an unwarranted additional amount. The Ministry of Finance Tax Bulletin MFT-CT 005 (2018) shows the taxes paid on gasoline in B.C. Vancouver residents pay a total of 33.28 cents per litre in provincial tax, the Sunshine Coast 22.28. Diesel has 34.95 cents added in the Vancouver area and 23.93 cents on the Sunshine Coast.
Transportation is often used to justify the higher price. Dangerous goods can be barged for just over $11 per foot. A tanker can be from 40 feet long (11,000 litres) to close to 80 feet (36,000 litres). This comes out to $442.80 to $886.85 (general quote) or between 2.5 and four cents per litre.
The low volume of customers is not a factor; there are eight gas stations on the Sunshine Coast and a population of over 29,000. Overall, in Canada, there are about three gas stations for every 10,000 people, which puts us under the national average.
We are paying more for gasoline here because the companies can and have been getting away with it. It is time to act to lower our gasoline price. We need assurance that prices will be based on the actual cost of gasoline, taxes and transportation.
We are asking those who control the price on the Sunshine Coast for their explanation of their costs – but at the same time, we want to let them know that we find their present pricing unjustified.
This is a matter of great public interest for workers and all residents of the Sunshine Coast. We ask residents to join with us and demand the end to the overpricing, which is based solely on being a captive market.
Ed Erickson, President, Sunshine Coast Labour Council
