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One of the largest fuel companies in B.C. a says there’s no retail market more competitive than gasoline in Canada and an executive denies any price collusion between competitors.

Ian White, senior vice-president of marketing and innovation for Parkland Fuel Corp., told a three-member panel leading a public inquiry into t gas prices on Wednesday that a price difference of one-tenth of a cent per litre can be enough to lose customers.

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Parkland Fuel operates gas stations under Chevron and other banners, supplies fuel to airlines and B.C. Ferries, and owns and operates a refinery in Burnaby.

White said while factors like clean washrooms and convenience stores can influence consumers, they simply won’t visit your gas station if you don’t have a competitive price for fuel.

Economist Henry Kahwaty, who was hired by Parkland, told the panel that the competitive environment leads retailers into a race to the bottom until they reach unprofitable prices, at which point there is typically a price jump and the process repeats itself.