Close X
Wednesday, November 27, 2024
ADVT 
National

B.C. Government To Consider 'Relief' For Record Gas Prices: John Horgan

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 04 Apr, 2019 09:57 PM

    VICTORIA — Premier John Horgan says the B.C. government will consider "some relief" for those who can't afford record high gas prices.


    Horgan says his government will monitor prices at the pumps over the summer after they reached the benchmark record of almost $1.64 a litre today in Metro Vancouver, but he also suggested provincial taxes aren't the only factor affecting prices.


    He says he can't explain a 12 cent a litre increase and perhaps the industry should invest more in refineries and the federal government should invest more in supply.


    Dan McTeague, an analyst at GasBuddy.com, says there are several factors at play, but chief among them is a shortage of gas across the province and northwestern United States caused by two refineries in Washington state running at reduced rates.


    British Columbia's carbon tax also increased to $40 a tonne on Monday, which is double the federal carbon tax introduced in Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and New Brunswick — provinces that did not previously have any carbon tax in place.


    McTeague say the effect is a 1.2 cent per litre bump at the pump, which may be small but should not be discounted.


    Horgan says the provincial government will monitor prices through the summer and if there's an opportunity to step in and help, it will do so.


    "But at this point, I'm hopeful there will be some correlation between the commodity price and retail price. Those are issues that are market driven and out of my control," Horgan says.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Canadian Farmers Face Uncertainty After China Escalates Canola Feud

    Canadian farmers are facing an uncertain future after China escalated its feud over canola on Tuesday.    

    Canadian Farmers Face Uncertainty After China Escalates Canola Feud

    Service Restored At Terminal Where Ferry Hit Dock: BC Ferries

    Service Restored At Terminal Where Ferry Hit Dock: BC Ferries
    BC Ferries says service is back to normal at its terminal on the Sunshine Coast where a docking accident caused significant delays Tuesday.

    Service Restored At Terminal Where Ferry Hit Dock: BC Ferries

    RCMP Officer Faces Driving Charge In Chilliwack, B.C., After Pedestrian Hit

    The BC Prosecution Service says an RCMP officer has been charged with driving without due care and attention.  

    RCMP Officer Faces Driving Charge In Chilliwack, B.C., After Pedestrian Hit

    Sukhmander Singh Owner Of Truck In Broncos Crash Pleads Guilty To Safety Charges, Fined $5K

    The owner of the transport truck involved in the deadly Humboldt Broncos bus crash has admitted he did not follow provincial and federal safety rules.

    Sukhmander Singh Owner Of Truck In Broncos Crash Pleads Guilty To Safety Charges, Fined $5K

    Public Art 'Fixture' In Downtown Nanaimo, B.C., Stolen: RCMP

    NANAIMO, B.C. — RCMP say a piece of public art that was a fixture in downtown Nanaimo, B.C., has been stolen.

    Public Art 'Fixture' In Downtown Nanaimo, B.C., Stolen: RCMP

    B.C. Seaplane Company's Plan For Electric Fleet Is Set For Take Off

    VANCOUVER — A seaplane company in British Columbia says it is partnering with an engineering firm with the goal of becoming the world's first all-electric airline.

    B.C. Seaplane Company's Plan For Electric Fleet Is Set For Take Off