"The minister left her decision to the final week of Mr. Saunders’ three year contract and made a swift, unreasoned decision," said Sweeney. "After firing the commissioner, the Deputy Minister of Government Services was directed to call Mr. Saunders late last Friday night and ask for a resignation. Mr. Saunders wrote the minister to inform her that he has accepted his termination, but no resignation exists.

"This government continuously attempts to cover up their bungling of public policy with irresponsible actions like those we’ve seen this week. The minister claimed she had a resignation letter several times and when she finally produced the letter in the House of Assembly today, we see no evidence of a resignation.

"The bottom line here is that consumers are being compromised because of the inability of government to keep on top of the issues. Oil companies have been lobbying government to discontinue fuel regulation and allow prices to rise. In firing the commissioner and placing responsibility in the hands of untrained Public Utilities Board officials, government has put the public at risk during a volatile time for the petroleum industry."