What’s Happening
The Retail Gasoline Dealers Association of Nova Scotia (RGDA) is preparing a comprehensive Margin Application to the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board (UARB). This application advocates for a much-needed and long-overdue increase in retail fuel margins.
This effort is essential to the long-term viability of independent fuel retailers across the province. But we can’t do it without you.
How You Can Help
To make the strongest, evidence-based case possible, we need your support in three key ways:
- Join the Application – Demonstrate industry-wide unity by officially joining the margin application effort.
- Submit Your Financial Data (2019–2024) – Send your station’s financial records to help us build a credible, data-backed argument for a margin increase
- Email: Matthew.Boland@smu.ca
- Dr. Matthew Boland of Saint Mary’s University is leading the data analysis.
- All data will be kept confidential and anonymized in final reporting.
- Your accountant can submit the documents directly if preferred.
- Write to Your Local MP – We’re asking each station to send a brief letter of support for the margin review. This will amplify our message and ensure federal leaders understand the challenges facing fuel retailers. – We can provide letter templates to make this easy.
Why It Matters
In the last UARB review, a lack of complete data led to an increase of just 0.3 cents per litre—far below what was needed. Since 2019, operating costs have risen by more than 26%, justifying a margin adjustment that is 4 to 5 times greater than the previous increase. Your financial data is the key to proving this case.
Federal Support & Carbon Tax Update
We’ve already secured support from federal leaders and continue to advocate on your behalf. The April 1, 2025 carbon tax removal has placed added financial pressure on retailers. Many were forced to sell higher-taxed fuel inventory at lower post-April prices, resulting in direct losses. While UARB has offered temporary relief, we are pushing for national recognition of these financial impacts and will continue to raise the issue federally.
Let’s Make This Count – Together
We are stronger when we act as one. By submitting your data and joining this application, you’re helping yourself—and every other independent fuel retailer in Nova Scotia.
The Deadline to Submit is July 1st. Please Act Now.
If you have questions or need help submitting your documents, contact us at:
- 📧 Email: office@rgda.ca
- 🌐 Website: www.rgda.ca
- 📞 Phone: 902-466-7516
Together, we can build a stronger, more sustainable future for fuel retail in Nova Scotia.