PRESS RELEASE: Charlton demands fairness at the pumps

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NDP DEMANDS FAIRNESS AT THE PUMPS FOR ALL CANADIANS
Hard-working families continue to get squeezed as Conservatives remain idle

OTTAWA – Hard-working Canadians want the Conservatives to act in order to ease the pain at the pumps as gas prices continue to surge, says NDP MP Chris Charlton (Hamilton Mountain).

“Ordinary Canadians paid between $1.16 and $1.23 per litre last week,” said Charlton. “Last weekend, I met a constituent in Hamilton who was forced to pull his son from soccer because, even for one of the most affordable sports options – the out-of-town tournaments come with a hefty gas bill.”

Last year, Charlton introduced legislation to create an Oil and Gas Ombudsman that would be charged with providing strong, effective consumer protection to make sure no big business can swindle, cheat or rip off hard-working families.

“I’ve heard over and over again from people who feel they are continually getting squeezed at the pumps,” said Charlton. “From high gas prices to rising food costs, ordinary families feel that they are paying more and getting less.”

Charlton’s bill has been endorsed by the Consumers’ Association of Canada.