PumpTalk - Petro-Canada

July 1 – a Happy Birthday and a Carbon Tax Reminder

I just wanted to post a quick reminder that as of July 1 (Tuesday), a carbon tax will be in effect for most fuels sold in B.C.

View the provincial government’s website for more information on the tax. And if you haven’t already, take a couple of minutes to check out the two videos we filmed on the topic (they were posted on June 5 and June 12).

Of course, July 1 is important for another reason as well – Happy Canada Day! However you choose to celebrate the country’s birthday this year, I hope you have a great day. But like Jon said before the long weekend in May, remember to be safe. This is always an important message, but an especially good reminder around the holidays.

Gas Prices: A Love Story

There are many serious topics when it comes to gas prices.  They fill the papers and the nightly news each day.  We've also covered a few of them in the last few weeks here on Pump Talk.  But every now and then a reporter finds a new angle that cuts through the standard stuff.  This time, it's the story of a young couple facing a choice betwen love and the gas pump.  I'm betting on love.  And the Pump Talk Love Guru is offering some advice.

Competition Bureau Investigation in Southeastern Quebec

On Thursday, the Bureau announced that criminal charges have been laid following an investigation into retail gasoline pricing practices in southeastern Quebec. You can read the news release here.  While the charges do not involve Petro-Canada employees or Petro-Canada retailers, it’s the type of story that may leave you and other drivers with lots of questions.  So I thought I’d share some of our thinking on the story.

BC carbon tax: I’ve heard about it…but what is it?

A carbon tax will take effect in BC as of July 1, 2008.

After talking to some people in Vancouver (watch the carbon tax video I posted last week), I learned that some people know all about the carbon tax; others are a little less informed.

If you fall into the latter category, check out this second video (below or via YouTube) on how much the tax will cost you and what the government has planned to mitigate the impact on consumers.

NOTE: in the video, you will hear about specific tax rates for gasoline and diesel. Since filming, these rates have been reduced. Here are the new rates.

No TV Screens = No Ads

I've received a few media calls on this article today put out by Canwest, so thought I'd clear the air.   There are no television screens on our pumps, which means Petro-Canada does not have the capability to run third party ads of any kind.  I called the politician who referenced us in the article to inform him that we are, in fact, TV-free.

Now before you say you've seen a TV on one of our pumps, we have experimented with the technology in limited areas.  But any advertising is purely in-house, focusing on our in-store offers.  Like our selection of yummy Panini's at Neighbours.  Ok, that was an ad.  Will stop now.

Will a carbon tax affect driving habits in BC?

In the news, it seems that one of the hot topics right now is whether or not Canada should consider a nationwide carbon tax.

In BC, the provincial government is past consideration and has moved to implementation. That said, the provincial carbon tax is still a hot topic.

Wanting to join the discussion, I went to Vancouver and asked people for their thoughts on the tax – specifically, whether it would have the intended effect of encouraging fuel efficient driving. (If you’re reading this, you probably know that we’re trying to do the same thing with this blog.)

I brought along a camera and you can view some of the discussions here or on YouTube. Thanks to everyone who participated, and to Kevin from our Calgary office who did the filming. As a quick disclaimer, I apologize to all the BC folks from outside of Vancouver – it would also have been interesting to visit your community and hear what you have to say. So if you have any thoughts on this issue, please share them.

Looking ahead, we’ve got another short video coming in the next week or so. It will focus on the “what”, “when” and “how much” of the tax so that you’re a little more informed by the time the BC carbon tax is implemented on July 1, 2008.

Will the Summer Road Trip Survive?

You don't have to go far these days to find a news report featuring someone thinking twice about hitting the open road this summer due to price of gas.  As a veteran of many road trips either as a kid or with my kids, those stories make me a little sad. 

Yes, gas prices are about 20% higher than they were this time last year.  But is that worth missing out on the roadside restaurants where the placemat doubles as the menu?  Or the highway motels that still proudly boast "Colour TV and Air Conditioning"? Or oversized roadside attractions?  Before you put the Thule in the garage, let me share some thoughts on how to keep up with the Griswolds this summer.

Great Links: Low-Sulphur & Hi-Jinx

1. believeinit.ca was just introduced by the Canadian Petroleum Products Institute (CPPI - we're a member).   It has a cool walkthrough explaining how crude oil is refined into gasoline and lots of worthwhile information about the major investments made by Canada's refiners to use less energy and produce low-sulphur fuels.  With that kind of content, it won't get much media attention.  But it's worth checking out.
2. Another gas-related email hoax is making the rounds again.  Question: If police were concerned about needles in gas pump handles, do you think they'd simply send an email and hope people forward it on to friends and family?  Me neither.  The good folks at Snopes agree.  My favourite line "this message is naught but another darn fool hoax dreamed up by someone intent upon enjoying the sight of people thrown into panic over nothing."  Nuff said.