Independant gasoline retailers are complaining about what they feel is unfair competition by First Nations gas stations.
They say dozens of independant stations have closed in the last few years because they just couldn’t compete against special treatment given to First Nations communities. 95% of provincial tax on gas and cigarettes stays on reserves so they can sell gas cheaper…and the independants say they just can’t compete with that
The Telegraph-Journal (Times and Transcript) reports Chief Patricia Bernard of the Madawaska Maliseet First Nation claims the independent retailers are way off in their perception. She said the station on her reserve is always within a cent or two of the price charged by a station just off reserve.