The Canadian National Newspaper: Mass Public Boycott urged against Oil and Gas companies

Anti price gouging advocates urge a total boycott of every gas station across Ontario starting Saturday 5 May, until the petroleum industry begins to acknowledge through prices decreases, that the public will not be held to ransom any longer.

Over the last few months we've seen excuse after excuse why gas must go up in price. First there was a fire at Nanticoke in Ontario. That could have been avoided if routine maintenance had been carried out. But, for this one act of gross negligence alone, gasoline buyers in Ontario have all been further held to ransom, and been forced to pay through the nose with impunity. This new rationale for the petroleum industry profiteering at the gas pump, adds to alleged "instabilities" caused from the so-called "War on Terrorism".

The Nanticoke fire resulted in Gas companies across Ontario jumping on a new band wagon designed to legitimate the hike of prices at the pump, right across the board.

Please take note that there was no substantive general shortage, and even less of one now, but we are still seeing prices continuously hiked. Why? Because there is no regulation to govern it, and no government with enough back bone to step in and help.

Furthermore, we now hear Nigeria has run in to "difficulty with domestic problems" so again , the petroleum industry stipulates, "lets hike the price and perhaps the Canadian people won't notice." At what stage do we say STOP?

Are we really looked upon by the petroleum industry, as being so stupid, that we would just sit back and take it? These companies gouge record exploitative commercial profits and even have the audacity to promote the fact and rub our faces in it.

I'm asking you all to support this fight, say no to the gouging its gone on long enough, boycott Petro Canada permanently on a daily basis and avoid filling up on Saturdays from all other gas stations including Petro Canada, if we hit them back hard enough and for long enough they will fall in line, without us and our money they are finished.

Some of you may say the answer is not to drive. However, we all know that won't work. But we could reduce some of the unnecessary journeys we all make. Car sharing also helps, and yes driving a hybrid could also help.

Again don't wait for political elites backed by the petroleum industry to provide substantive leadership in this areas because that would cuts into the "precious" obscene profit margins of the petroleum industry.

I've recently heard that SIX enquiries have been conducted by the federal Competition Bureau, yet no proof of price fixing has been discovered. Does this not smack of total incompetence by this department? Or are we to draw from this that what they do find, is covered-up by Ministers of government further up the ladder? After all, from where do you think a whole lot of money in the form of political campaign contributions will come from for the next election?

Again, one question that should be answered is how many government ministers are on the payroll of these gas companies, and how many are major share-holders?

And further to this, think of all the tax the government makes. Can we honestly ask them to step in and help us, with so much apparent back-hand dealing going on? The answer is NO. But remember, you put these people in power; and you can also remove them. If your not happy with the status quo of profiteering by the petroleum industry, join this boycott, or alternatively, write to your elected legislative representative, and complain. Let them know of your displeasure in the way you are being treated and robbed blind by commercial profiteering seeking Petroleum interests.

When was the last time you saw a Government minister or other senior political representatives driving (or being driven) Hybrid or small Eco vehicle, setting a good example? You generally don't. They generally drive round in their large trucks, SUV's or huge gas guzzling ministerial cars. The only difference is that they claim it all back as expenses that you and I as tax payers pay for.

No other company or commodity would be allowed to prosper with such obscene profits made on the backs of the people, as we see in the Petroleum industry. Basically, this is legalised theft backed and promoted by government. Only you the people can stop it. Make yourselves heard, stand united together and fight, write to you MP, write to government in Ottawa, let them know how you feel.

Say no to more price increases and lets drive the price back down to a reasonable figure we can all live with. When I hear of parents who spend more on gas than they do on food and essential bills for there families a week, then something is most definitely wrong. Member of the public need to begin to really pull together to begin to win this fight.