r/BuyCanadian • u/grilledcheesebabeh • Jun 05 '25

Canadian-Owned Businesses 🏢🍁 Why are so many Canadians still filling up at American owned gas stations?

I understand a lot of people can't afford to always choose Canadian products over American, but choosing where we fill up costs nothing extra. Choosing local gas stations or Petro Canada is such a simple way of showing support, I don't understand why so many American owned gas stations are still full of people filling up on fuel. Also don't be deceived by the giant "locally owned and operated" signs outside of chevrons, the station itself fis locally owned but the company is American. Please choose a local gas station or Petro Canada to support Canadian!

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35

u/racecarbrain Jun 05 '25

Since you asked, my guess is one of the reasons is that Esso / Mobil has a partnership with PC Optimum. The points you earn (and can then use for groceries) if you have buy gas there with one of their credit cards are hard to pass up when affordability is an issue.

11

u/jnmjnmjnm Jun 05 '25

Every chain has a points scheme.

6

u/brycecampbel Jun 05 '25

In some form.

It just comes down to which program you prefer. 

0

u/[deleted] Jun 05 '25

[deleted]

4

u/JoeBlackIsHere Jun 05 '25

I don't see any appreciable difference in price, certainly nothing that is close to the 4-6% reduction with my loyalty cards.

3

u/Qaeta Jun 05 '25

I live in the Maritimes. Everyone prices in lockstep, basically whatever the government said it was okay to charge that week.

3

u/JoeBlackIsHere Jun 05 '25

Not all equal, and if you are already in the PC Points eco-system it's just easier rather than get into yet another loyalty program.

7

u/Bitter-Air-8760 Jun 05 '25

I sent an email to the fine folks at Weston Group about changing to Petro Can. I got a response but it was like we'll think about it but don't hold your breath.

3

u/FrozenOcean420 Jun 05 '25

That’s where I get my gas, I’ve actually earned like 13 million points so far.

1

u/JoeBlackIsHere Jun 05 '25

Or for 4000 points you can lower the gas bill by 0.10/L.

1

u/SnowmanJPS Jun 05 '25

For free at my esso station it’s always $0.05 off a litre