With the price of a litre of gas in Prince Rupert clocking in at 106.9 this week, it’s a timely bit of news out of Victoria that suggests that the time to find out why the price spikes as it does may be at hand.
The rising cost of gasoline, which this time coincided with the spring break travel period has raised the level of ire of not only the gas buying public, but some of the officials they elect to represent them.
New Democratic Party energy critic John Horgan is leading the charge to investigate the fluctuating price of gasoline and the perception that the Big Oil companies are gouging British Columbians without mercy.
The Daily News featured the story on the front page of Monday’s paper.
COST OF GAS IS FUELLING NEW CALL FOR ANTI-GOUGING LAWS
Province urged to discuss Act that would regulate the price at the pump
By Leanne Ritchie
The Daily News
Monday, March 19, 2007
Pages one and three
With gas prices soaring at the start of spring break, New Democrat Energy Critic John Horgan is calling 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,” said Coons.
Although world crude oil prices are stable, gasoline prices in B. C. 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 and in Kelowna charging 102.5 for a litre of gas.
In Prince Rupert, gas prices were up to 106.9 at some stations by Thursday of last week.
“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.
The legislation proposes to appoint an individual to study the impact of setting minimum and maximum prices for petroleum. A board would be appointed to regulate maximum and minimum prices and fines would be implemented for companies found contravening the new regulations.
The act would have teeth through a commission responsible and empowered to ensure companies were following the act.
If found guilty, retailers and wholesalers would face fines up to $5,000 per day, and each day the offence continued would be counted as a separated offence.
Finally, government would appoint a consumer advocate, however the role of that advocate is not largely defined.
The rising cost of gasoline, which this time coincided with the spring break travel period has raised the level of ire of not only the gas buying public, but some of the officials they elect to represent them.
New Democratic Party energy critic John Horgan is leading the charge to investigate the fluctuating price of gasoline and the perception that the Big Oil companies are gouging British Columbians without mercy.
The Daily News featured the story on the front page of Monday’s paper.
COST OF GAS IS FUELLING NEW CALL FOR ANTI-GOUGING LAWS
Province urged to discuss Act that would regulate the price at the pump
By Leanne Ritchie
The Daily News
Monday, March 19, 2007
Pages one and three
With gas prices soaring at the start of spring break, New Democrat Energy Critic John Horgan is calling 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,” said Coons.
Although world crude oil prices are stable, gasoline prices in B. C. 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 and in Kelowna charging 102.5 for a litre of gas.
In Prince Rupert, gas prices were up to 106.9 at some stations by Thursday of last week.
“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.
The legislation proposes to appoint an individual to study the impact of setting minimum and maximum prices for petroleum. A board would be appointed to regulate maximum and minimum prices and fines would be implemented for companies found contravening the new regulations.
The act would have teeth through a commission responsible and empowered to ensure companies were following the act.
If found guilty, retailers and wholesalers would face fines up to $5,000 per day, and each day the offence continued would be counted as a separated offence.
Finally, government would appoint a consumer advocate, however the role of that advocate is not largely defined.
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