New Brunswick gas stations turn off pumps to protest price regulation

FREDERICTON (CP) – Some motorists across New Brunswick had to search for gas Tuesday after almost 100 independent gasoline retailers turned off their pumps for several hours to protest price regulation.

Service station attendants told motorists they had no fuel to sell, or that they couldn’t afford to sell it at the regulated price set by the province’s Conservative government when regulation came into effect on July 1.

“I’m just getting ready to go on vacation today and we’re hearing this could be across the province,” said Carmella Hill as she was turned away from an Esso station in Fredericton.

Some stations that remained open had line ups because of vehicles diverted from other locations.

Canadian Press