Politics plays part in setting gas prices, McNeil says
Politics plays part in setting gas prices, McNeil says
By DAVID JACKSON Provincial Reporter
Wed. May 27 - 6:43 PM
The vagaries of how the MacDonald government sets gas prices had the Liberals accusing the Tories Wednesday of letting politics play a part.
At issue were documents the Liberals received under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. They showed that the Service Nova Scotia minister picks a price from three options that staff presents to him.
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Liberal Leader Stephen McNeil said that runs counter to past government explanations that the price is set through a formula using the New York Harbour spot price for gasoline, then adding margins and taxes.
"Any formula that I know would set one price, not three," Mr. McNeil said while campaigning in Guysborough County.
"This is clearly political interference when it comes to setting the price of gas and it's a flawed system."
The documents the Liberals received included copies of the three price options the minister was given. Two of the options – the ones that weren't picked – were blacked out because they were considered advice to the minister, an exemption under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.
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