Harper Government Takes Action to Ensure Fairness at the Pumps

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - March 23, 2011) - The Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Industry, today made the following statement:

"It is estimated that each year Canadian consumers receive millions of dollars less than what they pay for at the gas pumps as a result of inaccurate measurement. Our government finds this completely unacceptable, especially at a time when family budgets are spread thin.

"That's why we introduced measures to protect consumers from paying more than they should at the gas station and other places where goods are measured. I am pleased to announce that the Fairness at the Pumps Act received royal assent today.

"This new law beefs up fines for inaccurate measurement, introduces a new fine for repeat offences and brings in new penalties to ensure appropriate deterrence against measurement inaccuracy. It also provides for mandatory inspection periods for measurement devices like gas pumps and retail food scales.

"The amendments will make retailers more accountable for the accuracy of their measuring devices and will help give Canadians confidence that when they gas up, what's indicated on the pump is what's in the tank.

"In this and in so many other ways, the Harper Government is standing up for Canadian consumers, because we believe that when Canadians decide to spend some of their hard-earned money, they deserve to know what they are getting and to get what they pay for."