I am fully supportive of supporting local businesses, especially those who have supported the local community and are facing hardship or may even face closure during this current economic and social crisis.
Only today did I have a conversation with yet another local family business owner in the Parksville area who is faced with closing down and laying off their workforce.
However, in doing so we should also note that some mid-Island gas station operators have for the past three weeks while our portfolios, local businesses and oil barrel prices have plummeted, kept gas prices consistently up around 20 cents per litre above market pricing on the mainland,the rest of Canada or even other locations here on the Island as close at Courtenay/Comox.
READ MORE: Vancouver Island gas prices drop amid COVID-19 pandemic
This despite Vancouver having an additional transit tax of 10 cents per litre which is not applicable here.
In the meantime the contempt shown in local pricing policies is only matched by the apathy of the local customer base who has seen gas prices being maintained high only now reducing prices down to $1.12 despite the current gas prices now reaching below $1 per litre on the mainland and the rest of Canada.
The explanations provided previously of barge costs and transport cost to the Island do not add up to the consistent 20 cents per litre.
Neil Rowley
Parksville