Tories call for gas price remedy

News Release
Ont. PC Party

Tory Transportation critic John O’Toole today questioned why the McGuinty Liberals have taken a completely different tune in government than they had before the election on gas prices.
“Once again we are seeing that the McGuinty Liberals have a different story in government than they did in opposition,” said O’Toole. “The only thing that fluctuates more than the price at the pumps, is the McGuinty Liberals policy on gas prices.”
While in opposition the McGuinty Liberals put forth four private members bills in an effort to protect drivers in Ontario:
On May 2, 2001, Liberal MPP Rick Bartolucci put forth Bill 32 – A Bill to freeze the price of gas for 90 days in an effort to protect motorists.
‘Gas Price Watchdog’ legislation was introduced by now Cabinet Minister Mike Colle in May 2001 and by Michael Gravelle in May 2003, to monitor and report unfair pricing practices to the Minister of Consumer and Business Services.
On May 27, 2003, Liberal MPP Bruce Crozier put forth Bill 58 – A Bill calling for gasoline retailers to advertise a change in gas prices 72 hours before changing the price.
Dalton McGuinty was also quite vocal on the issue of protecting motorists in Ontario from high gas prices when he was Leader of the Opposition, telling then Premier Mike Harris “You are passing the buck…to the federal government while Ontario motorists continue to be gouged by gas companies…When are you going to stand up and take some leadership and defend the interests of Ontario motorists?” McGuinty went on to say, “We’ve put forward three solid ideas-you can pick any one of them-that will help defend the interests of Ontario motorists” (Hansard, Nov. 23, 1999).
“Ontarians want Premier they can trust, not one who cannot stop saying one thing and doing another,” said O’Toole.