According to Global News, Petro Canada, a subsidiary of Suncor Energy, confirmed in a statement that they will implement this policy at most gas stations in Ontario after the long Labor Day weekend in September.
We will provide our customers with a safer and more efficient way at most Petro Canada gas stations in Ontario, "a spokesperson said.
Starting from September 3, 2024, drivers will be prompted to prepay for fuel at gas stations or stores
Earlier this month, an official notice was posted at a Petro gas station on Queensway and Southport Street in Toronto.
The notice states that customers will be required to prepay fuel fees at gas stations or stores after September 3, 2024.
Image source: Global News
According to reports, these fuel retailers may choose to make prepayments a business practice, and several gas stations across the province have recently been doing so.
Shell gas station told Global News in an email that the company has implemented prepayment regulations in most provinces and specific gas stations considered to have a higher risk of "oil theft".
In provinces without prepaid legislation, such as Ontario, we will continue to monitor the local market and make the best decisions for each gas station based on safety and customer needs, "they said.
Prepaid fuel fees are common in other provinces of Canada, and we are happy to expand it to Ontario, "the spokesperson said.
Ontario gas station regulations blame 'too many people stealing fuel'
One of the reasons for Petro Canada's policy change is' stealing fuel '.
Although oil companies will not disclose the frequency of fuel theft or the annual losses caused by fuel theft. However, fuel theft has been a problem across Canada in the past few years.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Saskatchewan reported a 70% increase in fuel theft cases compared to 2021. Most of the reports indicate that drivers leave without paying after refueling.
In New York Province, the head of the local police association stated earlier this year that they received 5200 complaints about people stealing gasoline from fuel pumps between 2020 and 2023.
At the same time, the Ontario Police Association has been calling on the Ford government to support the "prepaid fuel bill" proposed by earlier lawmakers, which states that it can save more lives. In 2011 and 2012, there were two consecutive cases of gas station employees being killed for "preventing fuel theft".
In Ontario, many people have died as a result, including employees, passersby, and even those who drove away after refueling. Changing consumer habits - paying before refueling - this simple solution will reduce the occurrence of these tragedies
Source link:
https://globalnews.ca/news/10706889/petro-canada-fuel-theft/