Pay-at-the-pump perturbs Port Ed politicians

The recent changes to the way that we get our gasoline aren't sitting well with politicians in Port Edward.

At last weeks District Council meeting, Councillors Kristoff and Brown expressed their concerns over the legislation that went into effect in February, suggesting that the changes have brought many unhappy customers into the villages lone gas bar, none to happy about having to go through all the motions of the new legislation.

Council's thoughts were provided in Friday's Daily News.

Council attacks pay-at-pump rules
By Patrick Witwicki
The Daily News
Friday, February 29, 2008

Page one

Port Edward Council is not happy with the new Working Alone or in Isolation regulations that went into effect Feb. 1.

At Tuesday's council meeting, Coun. Murray Kristoff responded to correspondence from WorkSafe B.C. that outlined the new rules, and that discussed what a business now had to do late at night, and that detailed how drivers must now pay for gas.

"I think they went over the top on this one," he said. "This is a lot of legislation for one death.
"There's nothing wrong with being safe, but I think this was an isolated incident. It is a tragedy ... but I feel this is too much."

Customers requiring gas must now pay in advance, either directly at the pump, or they must first go inside the kiosk and pay, which currently is the only option available at Port Edward's lone gas bar at Maverick Foods.

Coun. James Brown said it is the workers at these outlets that are getting the backlash from the new legislation.

"It brings a lot of psychos in (to their shops)," he said. "I've talked to a lot of gas jockeys, and they say (the customers) are all pissed off, and they're just unloading on the employees."

Mayor Dave MacDonald reminded council that Port Edward and Prince Rupert both protested this potential bill when it was being discussed, but that didn't stop it from becoming law.

Kristoff said the government didn't stop to think what kind of effect the new rules would have on small businesses, that actually don't make much money, if any, off gasoline sales. Most of the revenue comes from in-store purchases.

"Small businesses just won't be able to cope," he said.

"It's going to provide a lot of closures."

The legislation in the term "work alone" could also affect other businesses in the near future. Kristoff used the example of truck drivers, who drive all across Canada for hours at a time, and usually, are alone.

And of course, other late-night businesses could also be affected, if it's determined that this law is applicable to everyone.

"It's going to cause other problems," he said. "What are you going to do, ban taxis? How far do we go with this?"

Despite the fact that the law is already enshrined, Port Edward decided to write a letter of complaint to both WorkSafe B.C. and the provincial minister in charge.