B.C. gasoline prices are still higher than other parts of the country, Premier John Horgan says, and he intends to ask Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to help find out why.
Horgan was asked about gasoline prices Tuesday, after the B.C. Utilities Commission released a on its investigation into the provinceB次元官网网址檚 motor fuel market. That report, by independent experts who regulate electrical and natural gas utilities and ICBC, continues to describe an B次元官网网址渦nexplained difference of 10 to 13 cents per litreB次元官网网址� for gasoline.
The commission said the extension to allow more submissions from fuel companies after last summerB次元官网网址檚 hearings didnB次元官网网址檛 resolve the reason for pump prices running higher than neighbouring Alberta and Washington state, and there still hadnB次元官网网址檛 been time to drill down into the dynamics of wholesale sources.
Gasoline prices in B.C.B次元官网网址檚 Lower Mainland dropped sharply last week, and by Tuesday pump prices in Surrey were hovering around $1.40 per litre according to monitoring service GasBuddy.com.
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Horgan said the utilities commission was the appropriate first step in seeking answers. It was prevented from examining taxes, environmental regulations or other B.C. government actions that may contribute to higher prices. If the B.C. commission has done all it can, Horgan said OttawaB次元官网网址檚 watchdog, , has the legal tools to protect consumers.
B次元官网网址淸The BCUC] did that in the summer, and it highlighted about a 13 cent-a-litre increase, or a gouge, on local drivers, which translates into hundreds of millions of dollars and more, out of the pockets of the travelling public of the Lower Mainland and British Columbia versus other locations,B次元官网网址� Horgan said at an event in Richmond Tuesday.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 going to reinforce this [gasoline price gap] with the prime minister when I meet with him,B次元官网网址� Horgan said. B次元官网网址淭he federal government has an ability to look at competition in markets. Clearly thereB次元官网网址檚 something wrong with the gas market in British Columbia, and we want to get to the bottom of that.B次元官网网址�
Trudeau is meeting premiers as he prepares to announce the cabinet for his minority government. He met Tuesday with Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe, one of four premiers who are challenging the Liberal governmentB次元官网网址檚 national carbon tax as an intrusion into provincial jurisdiction over natural resource production.
Horgan said his government will be presenting its own proposed solution in the B.C. legislature, which resumes sitting next week until the end of November. And he hinted that his meeting with Trudeau will continue to press the B.C. NDPB次元官网网址檚 opposition to expanding the Trans Mountain oil pipeline as it resumes construction.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 not just about supply, although we need more gasoline,B次元官网网址� Horgan said. B次元官网网址淲e need less diluted bitumen. That wonB次元官网网址檛 move your automobile, but gasoline will, and we only have the one refinery in Burnaby.B次元官网网址�
B.C. also has a second refinery in Prince George that processes natural gas liquids into motor fuels.
The B.C. Liberal opposition resumed its political battle over gasoline prices, which has included B次元官网网址淏lame John HorganB次元官网网址� billboards placed for viewing by Metro Vancouver commuters.
B.C. Liberal leader Andrew Wilkinson issued a statement saying the NDP government B次元官网网址渞iggedB次元官网网址� the BCUC review to avoid looking at its own policies, such as opposing the expansion of the Trans Mountain pipeline that brings refined fuel as well as crude oil from Alberta to B.C.
tfletcher@blackpress.ca
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