pandr
05-15-2011, 07:05 PM
Over a barrel
North Shore News May 15, 2011 Comments (1)
WHILE the Conservative government’s promise to cross-examine Big Oil over the price of gasoline may give some of us a fleeting sense of satisfaction, one hopes Canadians recognize the pronouncement for what it is: theatre.
Industry Minister Tony Clement made the declaration on Thursday, saying his no-nonsense government would haul industry executives in front of a panel of righteously outraged MPs to answer some sticky questions about the current spike in fuel. The petroleum fat cats will be made to squirm, he vowed, as they struggled to explain the numbers at the pump that vary so wildly from day to day, from place to place, and in seeming independence from the price of crude.While this amusing little show might score political points for the actors, the process will ultimately do little to help the public fill up their tanks. Past experience has shown that there is nothing our leaders can do to force prices down without serious consequences for the market and the larger economy.
Alltheycandoismaketheoiloligarchs sweat for a few hours on Parliament Hill before sending them back on their way to the bank, laughing. Ottawa could do a far greater service for motorists — and for Canadians in general — by ensuring we share in the petroleum windfall. A good start would be to cancel the billions of dollars in corporate tax cuts planned for coming years.
If the Tories want to help us, they should drop the theatrics and do what’s right for Canadians.
Read more: hxxp://www.nsnews.com/Over+barrel/4786925/story.html#ixzz1MRvRib2X
North Shore News May 15, 2011 Comments (1)
WHILE the Conservative government’s promise to cross-examine Big Oil over the price of gasoline may give some of us a fleeting sense of satisfaction, one hopes Canadians recognize the pronouncement for what it is: theatre.
Industry Minister Tony Clement made the declaration on Thursday, saying his no-nonsense government would haul industry executives in front of a panel of righteously outraged MPs to answer some sticky questions about the current spike in fuel. The petroleum fat cats will be made to squirm, he vowed, as they struggled to explain the numbers at the pump that vary so wildly from day to day, from place to place, and in seeming independence from the price of crude.While this amusing little show might score political points for the actors, the process will ultimately do little to help the public fill up their tanks. Past experience has shown that there is nothing our leaders can do to force prices down without serious consequences for the market and the larger economy.
Alltheycandoismaketheoiloligarchs sweat for a few hours on Parliament Hill before sending them back on their way to the bank, laughing. Ottawa could do a far greater service for motorists — and for Canadians in general — by ensuring we share in the petroleum windfall. A good start would be to cancel the billions of dollars in corporate tax cuts planned for coming years.
If the Tories want to help us, they should drop the theatrics and do what’s right for Canadians.
Read more: hxxp://www.nsnews.com/Over+barrel/4786925/story.html#ixzz1MRvRib2X