UCP leadership candidate Brian Jean says Albertans are getting ripped off at the pumps.On Tuesday, Jean shared two graphics dealing with the price of Alberta gasoline on social media.One of the graphics showed a 10 cent difference in the price of gas from the Town of St. Paul and Bonnyville. Bonnyville's gas price was cheaper yet further away from the refinery than St. Paul."When Alberta removed its 13 cent a litre fuel tax we were told that the government would be watching like a hawk to make sure the savings were passed on. That has not happened," Jean said."Based on today's July 6 wholesale rate of $1.195 a litre and taxes of $0.2105 a litre a fair price for gasoline in the next few days should be around $1.55 a litre."Jean says, 'if it isn't by the weekend Albertans are getting ripped off."On June 30, Jean announced his third policy measure to offer royalty-free gasoline and diesel in Alberta.The policy will save Albertans a further 15 cents a litre over and above the 13 cent reduction in the fuel tax. If elected premier, he will remove the royalty on any barrels of Alberta oil and bitumen refined in Alberta to produce gasoline and diesel fuels for the Alberta market."Now imagine another 15 cents a litre coming off of that if the oil used to make the gasoline was royalty free. Reducing fuel prices is the key to fighting inflation in Alberta," Jean said.Jean says the solution to fix the rising cost of gas in Alberta is "You shine a really bright light on it, and shame them. And if that doesn't work quickly you take stronger action."Jean said he is not a fan of more regulation, but even less of a fan of retailers taking advantage of Albertans when they are hurting."You are entitled to a reasonable profit, but retailers appear to be making about four times as much per litre sold as they were in 2019," Jean said."Four-hundred percent increases in revenues is excessive."
