Horgan Calls For Regulation of B.C. Gasoline Prices

For Immediate Release

February 22, 2007

VICTORIA –New Democrat Energy Critic John Horgan announced today that he will introduce a Private Member’s Bill in the B.C. Legislature to regulate gasoline prices in B.C., where motorists are forced to pay prices higher than other Canadians.

Horgan, the MLA for Malahat – Juan de Fuca, said the NDP is also calling for a full public inquiry into the matter of why gasoline prices are significantly higher in British Columbia than in other provinces such as Ontario and Alberta.

“We have been hearing the message loud and clear from our constituents that they are tired of being robbed at the gas pump with prices that are significantly higher than in other parts of Canada,” said Horgan.

“It’s time for the B.C. government to step up to the plate, set in motion an inquiry and explain to British Columbians why they are being gouged for gasoline,” Horgan said.

“At a time when large oil companies are making record profits while working British Columbians are struggling to make ends meet, we need to regulate gasoline prices as we do other forms of energy,” he said.

“It doesn’t make sense for British Columbians to pay such high gasoline prices, particularly when world prices are falling,” Horgan said. “I call on the B.C. Liberals to put the people of B.C. ahead of their corporate backers and support my Private Member’s Bill to regulate gas prices.”

In 2006, motorists in Greater Vancouver paid an average of 103.7 cents for a litre of regular gas, the highest for any metropolitan area outside of Newfoundland and Nova Scotia. Gasoline prices are not regulated in B.C., but are regulated in some other provinces.

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Contact: Tim Renneberg
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