McLeod Applauds Fairness at the Pumps Act

April 15, 2010

Ottawa – Cathy McLeod, Member of Parliament for Kamloops – Thompson – Cariboo was pleased today that the Government of Canada has introduced measures to ensure fairness at the gas pumps for Canadian consumers. The proposed Fairness at the Pumps Act will make retailers more accountable for the accuracy of their pumps and other measuring devices.

“Since coming to office in 2008, one of the most frequent complaints from constituents has been about unfairness at the gas pumps. Even this week I had a gentleman from Kamloops call and report that he believed his purchase of gas was inaccurately measured. It is estimated that each year Canadian consumers receive a full $20 million dollars less gas than what they pay for at the pumps,” said McLeod.

The proposed Fairness at the Pumps Act would increase retailer accountability for measuring device accuracy by requiring that they have devices such as gas pumps and retail food scales inspected at regular intervals. Additionally, increased court-imposed fines of up to $10,000 for minor offences and $25,000 for major offences, as well as new fine of up to $50,000 for repeat offences are proposed.

The new act also proposes the creation of a system of authorized service providers, trained and certified by Measurement Canada, to perform inspections. The proposed use of non-government inspectors to fulfill mandatory inspection requirements would create or expand business opportunities in communities, as well as allow Measurement Canada to leverage its resources to improve measurement accuracy and raise consumer confidence in the marketplace.

“When Canadians pull into a station to gas up, they want to know that what’s on the pump is what’s in their tank.  Especially at a time when family budgets are still spread thin, I personally find any inaccuracy completely unacceptable.  I believe today’s proposed legislation will finally protect consumers as well as send a clear message, that if businesses don’t do their part to ensure measurement accuracy, they will be held to account,” concluded McLeod.