Local MP Peter Julian wants the government to move faster to protect Canadians from paying too much at the gas pumps.
Julian was critical of inaccurate pump measurements, causing consumers to pay an extra $20 million for gas annually.
"We think this is completely unfair to Canadian consumers," he said from a Burnaby gas station on Tuesday. "We're saying the government should be taking action immediately."
Julian was flanked by Windsor West MP Brian Masse, who is spearheading a campaign to raise awareness of the problem.
"There's an old saying: You get what you pay for. But apparently that doesn't apply in this industry," Masse said.
Since 1999, gasoline consumers have been overcharged roughly $240 million. According to the two MPs, the federal government has been aware of the problem since 2007. On average, consumers are charged five to seven per cent extra on gas. It's not clear who is miscalibrating the machines because there's not enough oversight, Julian said.
The campaign includes a petition calling for a return of the overcharged $240 million.
Julian and Masse also took issue with the government's plan to wait a year while industry comes up with better ways to self regulate. They also criticized provisions in a government bill that allow gas companies to recover increased inspections by passing the costs on to consumers. The MPs want a new "gas and oil ombudsman" to keep an eye on the problem, and increased inspections from Measurement Canada, the federal body charged with ensuring the integrity and accuracy of measurement in the Canadian marketplace.
The petition is available on Julian's website, and the MPs plan to present it in Ottawa in September.
To see a copy of the petition, go to Jennifer Moreau's blog, Community Conversations, at www.burnabynow.com.
