LAVAL, Que. — Teamsters Canada is urging the federal government to establish a national rebate program to mitigate the effects of soaring fuel prices. The program would be based on provincial models, the organization says.

“There is a solutionThe federal government has the power to mitigate the crisis by using the budget surpluses it has accumulated in recent years to assist the trucking industry. The Quebec government affords independent drivers in that province protection against rising gas and fuel costs, which is evidence that a national rebate program could be successful,” Teamsters officials said in a release.

In certain regions, like Quebec, fuel prices have risen to more than $1.50 per litre.

“In my 40 years in this business, I have never witnessed such a critical situation. It is only a matter of weeks before companies will begin to disappear,” says Robert McAulay assistant director of Teamsters Canada’s freight and tank haul division (central region).

“One thing is sure: current gas and fuel prices will have dire consequences for the health of Canada’s economy,” predict Robert Bouvier, president of Teamsters Canada which represents thousands of truckers in the country. “The federal government must take action to protect the future of transportation-industry workers and all Canadians.”