Federal Environment and Climate Change Minister Stephen Guilbeault is urging regulators in Atlantic Canada to consider oil industry profits before approving any fuel price increases to pay for the new clean fuel regulations coming into effect July 1.

In a May 25 letter to independent regulators in the region, Guilbeault also singled out the region's only refiner — Irving Oil — accusing the company of exaggerating its cost of compliance. He said costs can be absorbed into refinery margins instead…