Reducing Gasoline Prices: British Columbia's Experiment

Abstract

Nature and significance of the problem, 443. — I. Conditions leading to investigation of the coal and petroleum industries, 443. — The Coal and Petroleum Products Control Board Act, 445. — Further legislation in 1940, 446. — Constitutional restrictions in Canada, 446. — II. Facts brought to light by the foregoing: brand names, 447; elasticity of demand, 448; major oil companies' control, 448; side-lines, 449; profits, 449. — Prices and cost of production, 450. — Interpretations of the facts revealed, 451. — Price determination, 451. — Product determination, 452. — Promotion, 454. — III. Alternative policies open to the Board, 454. — Policies adopted, 457. — Conclusions, 458.