Statement from the Honourable Tony Clement

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - May 12, 2011) - Today the Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Industry, made the following statement on fluctuating fuel prices:

"Since 2006, our government has been working hard on the issues that matter most to Canadian families. During tough economic times, we have taken action to protect Canadian jobs and help our economy grow.

"We've enacted broad-based tax cuts to help Canadian families keep more of their hard-earned money, including, among others, lowering the GST from 7 to 5 percent, implementing income splitting for pensioners and removing 124,000 single-parent families from federal tax rolls.

"In fact, thanks to our low-tax plan for families, I am proud to say that the average Canadian family is saving over $3,000 each and every year. But there is always more that can be done. We understand that household budgets are tight.

"And we are hearing the questions and concerns Canadians have about fluctuating fuel prices. We know that the high cost of gas can be a burden for Canadian families. Everyone is feeling the pinch at the pumps. And especially at a time when household budgets are already tight, Canadians want and deserve answers.

"That is why I will be asking refiners, distributors and retailers to come to Ottawa to appear before a parliamentary committee and explain their pricing methods to Canadians. Members of Parliament will get the chance to ask them the common-sense questions we've been hearing from Canadians.

"I should note that this is not the first action the Harper Government has taken on this issue. We passed the Fairness at the Pumps Act to ensure that consumers are getting what they pay for when they fill up. We have expanded the powers of the Commissioner of Competition, who broke up a significant price-fixing cartel in Quebec last year.

"And today, we are committing to getting Canadians some answers."