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by Steven Kaszab, Bradford, Ontario skaszab@yahoo.ca

Filled up with gas today. Nearly 1.50 liter. Was told by person behind the counter that a increase will happen this Friday going over 1.50 and that I should be getting used to this pricing. It will not decrease as it will be the new base price. After a bit of research realized the price per liter maybe nearer $1.60 by mid summer.

Thinking why this could happen, I came up with a few idea’s…
1.The Pandemic overall has pressured prices to increase. Logistics, staffing and medical shortages and problems add to the cost of gas. 
2.Our Federal and Provincial Governments want a direct push towards Electric Vehicles.Adding price increase upon price increase will pressure the public into a electric car. This  seems to be  the mind set we are facing..

The demand for oil and gas have never been higher, yet our governments continue to talk about electric vehicles but have not made the appropriate legal directives to persuade car makers to make these cars in mass. The Vehicle Manufacturers are enjoying an increase in their stock prices due to their ambitious electric car policies, yet where are these vehicles? The price for energy continues to increase and yet we are told we cannot have our electric cars if we wish for 3-5 years. Certainly enough of them to make a difference and placate consumer demand.
Can Vehicle Manufacturers make these vehicles in time? Are there enough batteries available? Are electric batteries recyclable? Can these vehicles price tag become appealing to the average Canadian?Can they be made primarily in Canada and not imported?(Lessons learnt since pandemic). Once we get our electric vehicles are they warrantied like previous cars? If a electric car needs a new battery only after a year is there going to be stock of these batterie’s?
The government has started to place financial pressure upon all Canadians, while it appears they have not done much preparation regarding this portfolio. Has the government directed and invited manufacturers into a partnership? Is there an actual long term and short term plan establishing these new primary vehicles within Canada? The manufacturers seem to be happy to wait, since they are exceedingly wealthy. Stock prices are up, and governments are throwing money at them too.
We need a attitude adjustment here, where business planning can be applied  in a long term basis. Our Federal Government must develop a 5-10 year plan in partnership with the Car Manufacturers and Labor. Only then can we all know what, why and how this environmental strategy will proceed and succeed.