(Angus Reid Global Scan) - Many adults in Canada believe the federal government should regulate fuel prices directly, according to a poll by Ipsos-Reid released by Sympatico / MSN. 72 per cent of respondents support the measure in order to protect consumers from unfair pricing.

On Apr. 21, the price of an oil barrel at the New York Mercantile Exchange reached a record high of $75.35 U.S. On May 19, the cost was $68.53 U.S.

Last week, a survey of 60 Canadian communities released by MJ Ervin & Associates found that Whitehorse has the highest gas prices at $1.07 U.S. per litre, and Calgary the cheapest at 84 cents per litre. The average cost for a litre of gas in the country is 92 cents.

In April, Canadian prime minister Stephen Harper discussed the situation, saying, "I think we're going to see sustained upward pressure on (fuel) prices for some time to come. This is something we're all going to have to adapt to and it's one of the reasons why when we deal with climate change and other issues, we're going to want to encourage the development of alternative energy sources." 67 per cent of respondents think Canada's government could act to limit increases in the price of gasoline.

Polling Data

In response to recent increases in gasoline prices, some people have said that gas prices should be directly regulated by the government to protect consumers from unfair pricing. Other people say that the government should not directly regulate gas prices and leave it to the marketplace. Generally speaking, would you, yourself, support or oppose direct government regulation of gasoline prices?

Do you think Canada's government could act to limit increases in the price of gasoline, or do you think Canada's government is really helpless when it comes to increases in the price of gasoline?

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