With gas prices soaring ahead of Spring Break, New Democrat Energy Critic John Horgan today called on the government to allow his Private Member’s Bill to be discussed in the B.C. Legislature. The Retail Petroleum Consumer Protection Act, which would protect consumers from wildly fluctuating gasoline prices, was introduced two weeks ago but has not yet been called for second reading debate.
“Every school holiday and every long weekend is just another opportunity to hose people at the pumps,” said Horgan, the MLA for Malahat-Juan de Fuca. “Enough is enough. Consumers know they are being gouged and they want action from government, not more excuses.”
North Coast MLA Gary Coons is frustrated with the direction of fuel prices.“It doesn’t make sense for British Columbians to pay such high gasoline prices, particularly when world prices are falling. The B.C. Liberals need to put the people of B.C. ahead of their corporate backers and support the Private Member’s Bill to regulate gas prices.”
Although world crude oil prices are stable, gasoline prices in B.C. have spiked dramatically only a few days before the annual spring school break. Gas stations in the Greater Vancouver area are charging up to 114.9 cents per litre, with stations in Greater Victoria charging 110.5 cents and in Kelowna charging 102.9 cents for litre of gas.
“We have heard the message loud and clear from British Columbians that they are sick and tired of being held hostage by large oil companies,” said Horgan. “I proposed a simple way to protect consumers from this type of occurrence, but the B.C. Liberals have refused to consider this solution. If they have a better idea, I have not heard it.”
Although B.C. regulates other forms of energy, it does not regulate gasoline prices. Gas prices are regulated in Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Newfoundland and Labrador.