Consumers are bearing the brunt of big-money speculation on oil prices and need relief on energy costs more than ever, according to MP, Carol Hughes. She delivered that message in a statement to the House of Commons yesterday as soaring oil prices and the big tax increase on them from the HST push even more family budgets to brink, especially in Northern Ontario where the prices are higher to begin with. She says it’s a one way street for consumers with a hill that keeps getting steeper, especially for those in the north. Prices in Kap have already risen from yesterday’s close of 124.5/l to 127.5/l. Prices in Hearst are 124.6/l as of a posting on Gas Buddy.com earlier this morning.