Haliburton is one of the poorest communities in Ontario, yet somehow we’re paying some of the highest gas prices in the province. That’s not just frustrating—it feels unfair.

Unlike many towns, Haliburton has no real competition when it comes to gas stations. Two out of three stations are owned by the same individual and overseen by the same corporation. Without competition, prices stay high, and residents and businesses are left with no choice but to pay more.

It’s worth noting that Dysart residents and businesses already benefit from relatively low property taxes. And it’s not as though the extra cost at the pump is going toward high wages for staff. Gas station attendants are almost certainly earning minimum wage. So the question remains: why are Haliburton’s prices higher than nearby towns like Coboconk, where volumes are even lower but prices are cheaper?

This strategy doesn’t even make sense from a business perspective. If local gas prices were just slightly lower, fewer residents would drive out of town to fill up. Volume would increase, and in the end, so would profits. Right now, however, high prices are pushing us away rather than drawing us in.

At the heart of it, communities are only as strong as their local businesses. Most people want to support Haliburton businesses—but when prices are this inflated, residents are being forced to take their business elsewhere. That hurts not just families, but the local economy as a whole.

It’s time for the corporations who profit here to remember that strong communities are built on fairness, trust, and mutual support—not exploitation.

Join our Facebook group, Fair Gas Prices for Haliburton, to add your voice to the growing number of community members working for more reasonable gas prices right here at home. Together, we can make change happen.