Is Unfettered Price Gouging By The Oil Companies Harper's Reward For Their Loyalty And Support?
.... just asking!
"Gas Prices Driving Canadians Crazy
May 11, 2011
A new poll from Ottawa-based Abacus Data shows that rising gas prices are affecting most Canadian family budgets and many Canadians are planning to make changes to their spending behaviour. Two thirds of respondents said they are angry and blame oil and gas companies for the increases. Almost eight in ten (79%) want governments to step in and do something.
Over seven in ten Canadians surveyed (72%) said that rising gas prices have forced them to change their spending plans with 39% saying that price increases have “really hurt their budget”. Only 21% of respondents said that they have not been affected by the gas prices increases.
Of those who cite budget pains from the rise in gas prices:
46% will have to reduce general spending;
41% plan to cut back on entertainment spending;
31% will find alternatives to driving: and,
26% will change their summer or vacation plans.
“The impact of rising gas prices goes beyond the price of fuel, food, and transportation,” said David Coletto, CEO of Abacus Data. “Canadians are changing their plans and spending priorities away from entertainment and vacations to help stem the rising cost of gas.”
When asked why they felt gas prices are rising, almost all respondents said it was because of “greedy” oil and gas companies, while 47% cited the rising demand for oil. Another 46% noted the conflict in Libya as a cause while only 25% believed rising gas prices was related to improving economic conditions."
Abacusdata.ca
"Gas Prices Driving Canadians Crazy
May 11, 2011
A new poll from Ottawa-based Abacus Data shows that rising gas prices are affecting most Canadian family budgets and many Canadians are planning to make changes to their spending behaviour. Two thirds of respondents said they are angry and blame oil and gas companies for the increases. Almost eight in ten (79%) want governments to step in and do something.
Over seven in ten Canadians surveyed (72%) said that rising gas prices have forced them to change their spending plans with 39% saying that price increases have “really hurt their budget”. Only 21% of respondents said that they have not been affected by the gas prices increases.
Of those who cite budget pains from the rise in gas prices:
46% will have to reduce general spending;
41% plan to cut back on entertainment spending;
31% will find alternatives to driving: and,
26% will change their summer or vacation plans.
“The impact of rising gas prices goes beyond the price of fuel, food, and transportation,” said David Coletto, CEO of Abacus Data. “Canadians are changing their plans and spending priorities away from entertainment and vacations to help stem the rising cost of gas.”
When asked why they felt gas prices are rising, almost all respondents said it was because of “greedy” oil and gas companies, while 47% cited the rising demand for oil. Another 46% noted the conflict in Libya as a cause while only 25% believed rising gas prices was related to improving economic conditions."
Abacusdata.ca
No doubt they feel more confident that he'll look the other way. And it's a mildly tricky issue for the left as well. One doesn't want to suggest that a non-renewable, polluting resource be perpetually maintained at a low price. The emphasis has to be on profit margin, not raw price.
It would be a good idea, though very idealistic, to force all major companies to disclose their profit margins on all goods sold. Then the free market could work in full consciousness of who was screwing whom. Does it really cost $12, for instance, to produce a pack of four disposable razors?
Posted by
sunsin |
12:17 pm, May 11, 2011
The government can't step in. Harper gave Canada away to the wealthiest corporations in the world.
Harper gave banks, mines, large corporations, gas and oil company's, billions of our tax dollars. I saw that motion pass, on the House of Commons TV channel. The first thing Harper did with his majority. He gave those greedy outfits ANOTHER tax reduction. This reduction will come off Canadians paychecks.
They were just waiting for Harper's majority, to enforce the N.A.U. The Federal Reserve Bank is forcing the merge of the three countries, Canada, the U.S. and Mexico. Our currency is going to be, the Amero dollar.
The giant corporations, are going to steal every cent, from the people of these three countries. Harper is thieving this country blind and giving the money, to the huge company's he works for.
Posted by
Gloria |
12:37 pm, May 11, 2011
For their loyalty and support were my thoughts exactly. I wonder how much voter remorse is happening right now. Just think, only four years of this.
Here goes the double dip recession.
Posted by
Brian |
12:44 pm, May 11, 2011
This is too simplistic. The BIG OIL people are nor the only ones to blame for the rising price of oil, Look at Bay Street. Its investors (who may never have met a representative of big oil) using futures trading to drive up the price of oil. Its just a comodity and is treated as such by investers.Even the opposition parties, if elected to govern, could not have stabilized the price, its a world wide issue. The answer - use less oil!
Posted by
Tom |
6:19 pm, May 11, 2011
Tom .. where is the so called 'competition factor' that free enterprisers tout so loudly? Where is our competition board? Where is action on price fixing? Why are traders allowed to treat oil like porkbellies?
Not simplistic at all.
Posted by
leftdog |
9:30 am, May 12, 2011
I don't know who is behind the high prices, probably several culprits and not just right-wingers, although I remain strongly suspicious of them. I do know that I've slowed to 120 on my weekly commute between the Bridge City and the Queen City. If the price keeps rising I may have to drop down to the posted speed limit, horror!
Posted by
Elliott Taylor |
5:33 pm, May 13, 2011