With the price of gasoline in British Columbia continuing on an upward trajectory of late, Premier John Horgan has tasked the British Columbia Utilities Commission, which normally puts its focus on Hydro and natural gas deliver issues, to investigate what is making for the spike in the price at the pump and to report back with their findings to the Legislature.
Yesterday as part of the next step when it comes to the Premier's interest in the price of gas, the BC Government outlined the terms of reference related to the BCUC investigation, among the highlights are:
Examine the market factors that affect wholesale and retail prices in British Columbia
Investigate gasoline price fluctuations, including the extent of possible competition concerns, such as price fixing and gouging
Explain the difference in refining margins between British Columbia and the rest of Canada, including why in recent months refining margins for Vancouver were more than double the Canadian average
Explain the difference in retail margins between British Columbia and the rest of Canada, as well as regional difference within British Columbia
Review the potential of regulatory measures used in other jurisdictions across Canada and North America to enhance transparency about how prices are determined.
The May 21st announcement which you can review here included the Premier's letter (see below) to the BCUC requesting the investigation.
The deadline for the BCUC to deliver their report ins August 30th.
The price of gas has reached the 1.70 per litre level in some Lower Mainland communities over the last week, for Prince Rupert today's price mark was listed as 1.46 per litre as of the noon hour.
For more items of interest on issues of Transportation along the area highways see our archive here.
More notes on provincial government themes can be found from our Legislature Archive as well as from our Victoria Viewpoints feature on the D'Arcy McGee blog.
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