July 18, 1997
(Government Services and Lands)

The following is being distributed at the request Dennis M. Browne, Q.C.:

On July 17, Dennis M. Browne, Q.C., was appointed to conduct a study on gasoline prices throughout the province. The terms of reference for the study are as follows:

2. whether regulation of gasoline prices would be in the public interest, and, if so;

3. what the options are, given the experience in other jurisdictions.

The report will be submitted to government before the end of the year.

Dennis Browne said: "All interested parties, including representatives from industry, are invited to cooperate in this study so that issues of concern to consumers can be fully explored. The participation of industry is encouraged. It is important that industry have input into this process."

The study will be conducted in three phases. The first phase will be research. The second phase will involve meetings with consumers and representatives of industry. The third phase will be for writing the report and making recommendations to government pursuant to the mandate.

Browne added: "Over the past 10 days, I have observed the actual cost of gasoline in various areas of the province. The variations are readily apparent. For instance, at a service station outside Port Saunders the price for a litre of regular gasoline was 66.9 cents. This compares with a price of 74.1 cents for regular gasoline at the TCH intersection into Baie Verte. In Grand Falls a litre of regular gasoline sells for 71.3 cents and in a Bishop's Falls for 74.1 cents. We will examine the reasons for these different prices in various parts of the province."

Dennis M. Browne, Q.C.
Telephone: (709) 754-1800
Fax: (709) 754-2701
E-Mail: french@newcomm.net