Mrs. Blunden and Members of the Public Utilities Board
April 16, 2020

Dear Mrs. Blunden and members of the Public Utilities Board:

I have been contacted by many constituents today who are feeling the pinch of the overnight rate hike in gas prices.

First of all, such a large, one time hike drove people in large numbers to the pumps and I was disappointed that your decision omitted the impact on health and safety protocols that are currently in place throughout the country at this time.

Secondly to the issue at hand, while I understand that suppliers are losing large amounts of income right now – I don’t want to buy a commodity at $1.00 and sell it for .50 cents losing money every day either, nor do I think it is fair for others. However, the PUB must have a calculation mechanism that’s fair to everyone not a yo-yo pricing regime that is causing hardship to retailers one week, suppliers the next week and consumers the week after.

Thirdly, passing along the loss from one to the other is not fixing this problem right now. In fact, it is causing more hardship for those who can least absorb it.

It is quite obvious the orders under which the PUB is designed to operate does not take into consideration fairness, the unique geography and how fuel is stored and distributed in this region.

I am asking you to reset the pricing to provide fairness for both suppliers, retailers and consumers. No one wants a corporation or retailer to subsidize their fuel but nor do they want a rate hike during a pandemic.

As the MP for Labrador, I urge you to find a different way forward at this time that is in everyone’s best interest and is fair to all involved.

I look forward to your response.

Yvonne Jones, MP Labrador