Motorists refuelling at most Petro-Canada locations in Ontario will be required to pre-pay for their fuel as of September.
Suncor Energy, owner of Petro-Canada, told The Epoch Times the company is implementing the measure at most of its pumps in the province after the long weekend.
“We’re introducing a safer and more efficient way for customers to fill up at the majority of Petro-Canada retail sites in Ontario,” Suncor Energy corporate communications senior adviser Leithan Slade said in an email.
“Starting September 3, 2024, customers will be prompted to pre-pay for fuel either at the pump, in-store or through the Petro-Canada mobile app.”
Signs have been posted at Petro-Canada gas stations ahead of the change and “additional communications” will be circulated to ensure customers are aware of the new policy, Slade said.
The change will also be making its way to Saskatchewan and Manitoba as well as some sites in Quebec, Slade said, although no timeline was given.
“Pre-paying is common at our sites in other parts of Canada, including British Columbia and Alberta,” he said. “We’re making this proactive change to ensure everyone’s safety at our sites and to reduce the risk of fuel theft.”
Suncor Energy did not answer questions about whether gas and dash incidents have increased at its pumps and did not elaborate on how the new policy would enhance public safety.
Whether other gas stations will follow suit remains up in the air. Only 22 percent of gas stations are controlled by the five major refiner-marketers in Canada, according to the Canadian Fuels Association.
The remaining 78 percent of Canadian gas stations are independently owned. That means these individual proprietors or companies can set their own pricing and policies, the association said.
There has been an increase in gas theft at gas stations in different provinces in recent years.
Last year, the RCMP in Saskatchewan said there was a 70 percent jump in people stealing gasoline or diesel fuel in 2022 compared to the year prior.
In Manitoba, the RCMP said gas thefts jumped by around 43 percent in 2022. Prince Edward Island experienced a similar jump that year, with an increase in thefts of around 40 percent.
