Fighting Big Oil the BC way.

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Fighting Big Oil the BC way.

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uploaded by Barry ORegan

Opinion 

By Barry Artiste, Now Public Contributor 

British Columbians and Canadians tired of being held hostage by big oil can easily fight back in their own small way.

With current gas prices for regular gas at $1.30 a litre or for Imperialists at $5.85 per gallon that works out to $120.00 a (20 gallon tank) fill up.  If you need premium gas, bring your first born or call Payday loans.

In Point Robert and Blaine, Washington ($3.55 a US Gallon) across the border, that same 20 gallon tankful of gas in Canadian dollars works out to $80.00. That's a savings of $40.00 for the cheap stuff.  Now with the Canadian dollar at around $1.10 Can for a US dollar and factoring in the US. Gallon vs Imperial Gallon.  You can save still $40.00 Can.

By planning your weekend shopping activities and filling up once a week (Saturday or Sunday) in Blaine, Washington or any Border Town you too can fight Canadian Big Oil and save some cash at the same time.

So BC, fire up your Behemoth, grab the kids or friends and take your carbon footprint to the good ole USA.

If you get to the Border at 9am, it is a 10 minute wait usually, using the Web based border cams work wonders.  I plan my weekend around the following activities in Blaine. I do my groceries, vegetable markets, get some lunch, take in a few garage sales, get some gardening supplies etc. Go one step further, get a (Cheaper) oil change, buy some tires, $0.99 cent a gallon windshield washer fluid works just as well as windex and about $3.00 cheaper, BC pays damn near $20.00 for 20 rolls of toilet paper versus $9.00 US for the same damn thing. So BC use your imagination. This is pretty much what most BC'ers do on the weekend anyways. By doing all these activities I save an average of $40.00 to $100.00 Can.

Some may say "Hey" by buying all these items in the US is detrimental to the BC economy? My argument is this, with pretty much everything we buy coming from Asia, Mexico or the US I am just cutting out the middle man. 

The BC Government may not get the point that their potential tax dollars are going South of the Border, but I guarantee you the border towns Chamber of Commerce will. If Canada won't do anything about big oil that will be one less dollar I give to the Canadian Oil companies and our ineffective tax grabbing Governments.  So this is my small way of fighting back that could have any effectiveness.  For those who wish to fill up and get out, go to Point Roberts outside of Twassenn, a tad more expensive, but still cheaper than Canadian Gas.  

Canadian towns and cities along the US Border are fortunate to be in such close proximity to cheaper gas, we need to take advantage of it. 

The American Tourism Economy and Washington State Tourism economy is suffering due to our increased Canadian Dollar. If this continues it may only be a matter of time US Retailers along the border may take our money at par in order to attract Canadians and keep their businesses afloat.

Something to think about BC. No one else is going to look out for you, except YOU!

Use the Border Cam to plan your trip in advance. 

www.borderlineups.com

Use the following Washington State Gas Price Guide and plan your visit today. 

http://www.fuelgaugereport.com/WAmetro.asp