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SPECIAL FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MINUTES
MARCH 21, 1994
CITY OF KITCHENER
The Finance and Administration Committee met this date, commencing at 8:10 p.m.,
Chairmanship of Councillor C. Zehr with the following members present: Councillors B.
Galloway, G. Lorentz, J. Smola, M. Wagner, C. Weylie, J. Ziegler and M. Yantzi.
Others present: Councillor G. Leadston, Messrs. R.W. Pritchard, J. Wallace and G. Sosnoski.
under the
Stortz, T.
GASOLINE SERVICE STATIONS - HOURS OF OPERATION
The Committee was in receipt of written submissions from Mr. F. Cozzolino, Canadian Tire
Petroleum, and Mr. J. Creaser, Becker Milk Company, dated January 25 and March 14, 1994
respectively, both supporting deregulation of gasoline service station hours of operation. The
Committee was also in receipt of Chapter 485 of the City of Kitchener Municipal Code.
Mr. Walter Wolff registered as a delegation this date but was not in attendance.
Mr. Thomas Reitzel appeared in support of deregulation and suggested that hours of operation
should be determined by consumer demand.
Mr. Martin Calderon appeared in his capacity as manager of the Canadian Tire Gas Bar at King
and Weber Streets and indicated he was strongly in favour of deregulation and has the full support
of Canadian Tire Petroleum. He referred to a petition signed by 800 customers supporting
extended hours of operation. Mr. Calderon also pointed out that deregulation would allow him to
increase his staff by two full-time employees. He offered the opinion that government should not
dictate business practice, including operating hours.
Councillor Galloway questioned how deregulation would increase employment. Mr. Calderon
replied that more people would purchase gasoline in Kitchener as opposed to driving to other
municipalities where hours of operation have already been deregulated.
Mr. F. Cozzolino appeared on behalf of Canadian Tire Petroleum and in support of his request to
deregulate hours of operation.
Mr. Gordon Kaster appeared in his capacity as the operator of a small retail outlet. He offered the
opinion that deregulation is not in the interest of all operators and that it would benefit large
petroleum companies but hurt smaller outlets. He advised that his station has 24 hour status but
there is not enough business to warrant keeping it open that long.
Councillor Galloway referred to a concern that large petroleum companies would pressure outlets
to work competitive hours. Mr. Kaster noted that in his experience this could occur and the
operator may not receive additional remuneration for the expanded hours of operation.
Mr. Barry D'Costa appeared in his capacity as a local service centre worker and a representative
of Union Local #803. Mr. D'Costa indicated that he opposes deregulation on the basis of safety
and health considerations. He acknowledged the economic benefits to consumers and large gas
companies, but noted that these should be weighed against the threat of robbery and the danger
to attendants who are forced to work alone at 24 hour outlets.
Mr. Brian Shantz appeared as an employee of a Canadian Tire Gas Bar and noted that deposit
procedures have been put in place to protect employees and discourage robberies. He indicated
that in his experience between 60 and 80 people per night express concern over regulated hours
and in some cases have run out of gas near a station which is closed and have to be towed to one
which is open. Mr. Shantz stated his belief that hours should be deregulated in the interests of
increased employment.
GASOLINE SERVICE STATIONS - HOURS OF OPERATION (con't.)
Councillor Ziegler offered the opinion that expanded hours of operation are required as a City
SPECIAL FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MINUTES
MARCH 21, 1994 - 32 - CITY OF KITCHENER
grows and indicated that on this basis he would support deregulation. Councillor Yantzi
suggested that deregulation is a part of changing retail trends. Councillor Wagner noted that the
economy is customer driven and that both business and government should respond to their
needs. Councillor Stortz noted that based on recent actions by the City of Waterloo, Kitchener
has little choice but to deregulate. Councillor Lorentz indicated his support for deregulation and
encouraged service stations to implement the necessary safety measures. Councillor Leadston
observed that contrary to circumstances in the past, there appears to be little support for continued
regulation of operating hours.
Moved by Councillor G. Lorentz -
"That Council repeal Chapter 485 (Service Stations - Hours of Operation) of the City of
Kitchener Municipal Code with the deregulation of hours to take effect the date the
repealing by-law is enacted."
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
ADJOURNMENT
On motion, the meeting adjourned at 9:10 p.m.
G. Sosnoski
Manager of Corporate
Records/Assistant City Clerk