Editor:
On Dec. 10, Vancouver CTV evening news ran a report in which irate gas station patrons decried the fact that according to Gas Buddy, Vancouver has the highest gas prices in Canada.
The report was filmed in front of a Chevron station flaunting a price of $1.19 a litre. Had the report been filmed on the Sunshine Coast that day, the price would have been the same.
Given that the Lower Mainland pays a 17 cents a litre transit tax, which the Sunshine Coast does not pay, our price at the pump should be at most $1.04.
According to Gas Buddy, on Dec. 10, Abbotsford was paying $1.05, Prince George 91 cents, Grand Forks, 91 cents, Fort St. John 91.5 cents, and Fernie, $1.03. All of those cities have their gas hauled over mountain passes by tanker truck, while I believe our gas comes by tanker on barge almost straight from the refinery.
A previous writer on this subject called our gas station owners a cartel, colluding to keep prices extortionately high. Local drivers are at the mercy of these owners. If we all complain, perhaps they will lower their price.
Sue Carson, Halfmoon Bay
