High time for a break at the pumps

10.2 billion reasons to give Canadians some relief from soaring energy costs.
Last week it was announced that the expected surplus for the federal government will again this year be an astounding amount. It is projected that it will be $10.2 billion dollars.
How much of that is from the record high gasoline prices and accordingly the taxes on them was not in the information I received but you can bet it is a big chunk.
Last week Stratton Service Station owner Shawn McDonald asked the government to offer Canadians a break at the pumps and hearing that they have $10.2 Billion extra dollars for the umpteenth year, there should be no reason for not giving us all a break.
In the early 1970s when there was an energy crisis, the Canadian Government created Petro Canada and offered Canadians their own oil cheaper than the offshore companies were.
It ticked Alberta off, but it was popular with Canadians at the pump and even for a time the Americans who for a switch came to Rainy River to get gas.
In Manitoba the province there has realized the strain of being on the border with US service stations and subsidizes the prices at Sprague to be competitive with Warroad.
Every year for the past decade or so the feds have been awash in our cash. It is obvious we are being over taxed.
I think it is high time that the government stopped gouging us at the pumps and help save the few service stations we have left.
Rainy River used to have several filling stations, now we have one. Baudette has four, many of which I am sure depend heavily on Canadians who are doing what they can to save money.
–Until then,
Ken