Magazine publishers are turning the page on posting the U.S. price on their covers, while keeping the Canadian cost fully visible and untouched.

Hearst Publications, which produces Oprah Magazine and Esquire, is one of those quietly dropping the U.S. price tag as the Canadian dollar hovers near par with the American currency.

Company spokeswoman Jessica Kleiman said Hearst has become a "lightning rod" for the policy, but added "most, if not all, U.S. magazines are doing the same.

"This was done at the request of Canadian wholesalers and retailers."

Officials at Indigo Books and Music say it's the publishers who determine prices.

Customers like Stewart MacLean, browsing at the Sunridge Chapters store, voiced disgust over the pricing policy.

"I don't agree with it, but there's not a lot you can do about it," said MacLean, 49, who was more concerned with the price difference than its posting. And he noted Wal-Mart was charging the U.S. price for its magazines.

"Wal-Mart doesn't carry some of the magazines I want and it's not really cheaper doing it online because of the shipping costs," said MacLean.

"I think we should be paying the lower price -- they're just trying harder to gouge us," said customer Mike Brett, 60, thumbing through a British aviation magazine.

Kleiman said one large Canadian retailer threatened to pull 300 publications off its shelves if dual pricing was maintained. But she defended the higher Canadian cost -- up to 30% more -- for magazines.

"There are larger transportation costs and fuel costs in Canada," said Kleiman.

She also said a re-shipping allowance available to U.S. sellers is absent in Canada, further driving up costs north of the border.