Yogi
09-10-2005, 08:32 PM
Martin doesn't get it.
Rather than spewing his rhetoric, why doesn't he start by killing the so-called "deficit fighting" gas tax premium he implemented in a bid to get us out of the deficit. Last I heard, we've been in a surplus position for the last 10 plus years yet that additional tax still remains :mad:
TROIS-RIVIERES, Que. (CP) - Prime Minister Paul Martin put petroleum companies on notice Saturday, saying he will make sure the price of gasoline keeps pace as the cost of crude oil drops in the weeks ahead.
"The first thing we have to do is to make sure that in fact as oil prices come down, which I believe they are going to do, that it is immediately reflected in prices at the pump," Martin said at a meeting of young Quebec Liberals.
Martin did not say how he will make sure retailers drop gasoline prices as quickly as they rose but the federal cabinet is crafting a plan, according to Jacques Saada, the regional economic development minister for Quebec.
"The impact of the fluctuation of gas prices is considerable on our economy," Saada said. "It's our duty as a federal government to see what we can do."
It's a common complaint among consumers that the price of gasoline skyrockets immediately when crude oil spikes, but it takes much longer for the price to come back down when the price of crude falls.
Gasoline prices were already at record highs above $1 per litre in many parts of Canada when hurricane Katrina hit, damaging key U.S. oil installations in the Gulf of Mexico and driving the price of gasoline above $1.35 a litre in many provinces.
Many consumers accused petroleum companies of price gouging.
"We are operating in a free market, but it's a market that shows when the price of crude oil goes up, the price of gas goes up. But when the price of crude oil goes down, it takes more time for the price of gas to go down," Saada said.
A recent published report said the Martin cabinet is also examining how to help low-income earners pay for home heating oil.
The Canadian Labour Congress proposed Saturday that the federal government impose a temporary "excess profits" tax on the oil and gas industry for one year to pay for consumer tax breaks and investment in public transit.
In his session with young Liberals, Martin suggested Canada should consider building new refineries to meet the high global demand for gasoline.
"We've gotta understand more refining capacity is required and I think there is an ideal opportunity for Canada to take a look at this," Martin said.
Environment Minister Stephane Dion, who was in the audience, said he understands the need to protect consumers and make sure seniors don't freeze this winter.
"Oil is certainly an industry that is booming in Canada. There is not a minister of the environment on earth who will stop this oil from getting out of the sand. The money is too big," he said.
Dion pointed out Martin briefly mentioned alternative energy sources. Income from oil will help develop those alternatives, he said.
http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2005/09/10/1211003-cp.html
Rather than spewing his rhetoric, why doesn't he start by killing the so-called "deficit fighting" gas tax premium he implemented in a bid to get us out of the deficit. Last I heard, we've been in a surplus position for the last 10 plus years yet that additional tax still remains :mad:
TROIS-RIVIERES, Que. (CP) - Prime Minister Paul Martin put petroleum companies on notice Saturday, saying he will make sure the price of gasoline keeps pace as the cost of crude oil drops in the weeks ahead.
"The first thing we have to do is to make sure that in fact as oil prices come down, which I believe they are going to do, that it is immediately reflected in prices at the pump," Martin said at a meeting of young Quebec Liberals.
Martin did not say how he will make sure retailers drop gasoline prices as quickly as they rose but the federal cabinet is crafting a plan, according to Jacques Saada, the regional economic development minister for Quebec.
"The impact of the fluctuation of gas prices is considerable on our economy," Saada said. "It's our duty as a federal government to see what we can do."
It's a common complaint among consumers that the price of gasoline skyrockets immediately when crude oil spikes, but it takes much longer for the price to come back down when the price of crude falls.
Gasoline prices were already at record highs above $1 per litre in many parts of Canada when hurricane Katrina hit, damaging key U.S. oil installations in the Gulf of Mexico and driving the price of gasoline above $1.35 a litre in many provinces.
Many consumers accused petroleum companies of price gouging.
"We are operating in a free market, but it's a market that shows when the price of crude oil goes up, the price of gas goes up. But when the price of crude oil goes down, it takes more time for the price of gas to go down," Saada said.
A recent published report said the Martin cabinet is also examining how to help low-income earners pay for home heating oil.
The Canadian Labour Congress proposed Saturday that the federal government impose a temporary "excess profits" tax on the oil and gas industry for one year to pay for consumer tax breaks and investment in public transit.
In his session with young Liberals, Martin suggested Canada should consider building new refineries to meet the high global demand for gasoline.
"We've gotta understand more refining capacity is required and I think there is an ideal opportunity for Canada to take a look at this," Martin said.
Environment Minister Stephane Dion, who was in the audience, said he understands the need to protect consumers and make sure seniors don't freeze this winter.
"Oil is certainly an industry that is booming in Canada. There is not a minister of the environment on earth who will stop this oil from getting out of the sand. The money is too big," he said.
Dion pointed out Martin briefly mentioned alternative energy sources. Income from oil will help develop those alternatives, he said.
http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2005/09/10/1211003-cp.html