NDP MPP Paul Ferreira says the McGuinty Government should protect consumers from gas gouging in the wake of gas station shutdowns.

“Drivers need to be protected from gas gouging,” said Ferreira. “Some stations have shut down, but that shouldn’t be an opportunity for others to start adding 5 cents a litre to their prices.”

A recent blaze at one of an Imperial Oil refinery resulted in gasoline shortages at 75 of the company’s 400 gas stations. Many stations in Ontario have simply stopped selling gasoline until supply problems are fixed. Canadian Tire has closed ten gas bars. Meanwhile reports indicate that prices at some gas stations unaffected by shortages are starting to climb.

Earlier today McGuinty Energy Minister Dwight Duncan said that Ontario had no power to protect consumers and that it was up to the federal government. Ferreira says he’s wrong.

“Before he was elected Dalton McGuinty constantly called on the Ontario government to protect consumers from gas gouging, but now he refuses to act,” said Ferreira.

Ferreira called on the McGuinty Government to immediately enact the NDP’s proposal to regulate gas prices.