News Release - April 12, 2007

VICTORIA - Almost six weeks after he introduced his private member's bill in the Legislature, Opposition Energy Critic John Horgan is calling on the Campbell government to stop stalling and support the Retail Petroleum Consumer Protection Act.

"It has been six weeks since I put forward my private member's bill, and rather than listening to the concerns of British Columbians who are tired of being hosed at the pumps, the Campbell government continues to stick their heads in the sand," said Horgan, the MLA for Malahat-Juan de Fuca. "The price swings of the past few days have been the last straw, and consumers have had enough."

Gas prices in B.C. soared over the Easter long weekend. By Wednesday, gas stations in the Greater Vancouver area were charging over 122 cents a litre, which is more than 20 cents higher than their counterparts in Toronto. On Vancouver Island yesterday afternoon a litre of gas cost 118.5 cents in Greater Victoria and 117.9 cents in Port Hardy.

"British Columbians know they are being gouged, but the Campbell government seems content to sit back and protect the interests of large corporations over the rights of B.C. motorists," said Horgan. "People know that dramatic swings in gas prices have nothing to do with changes in crude oil prices and everything to do with increasing profits for big oil companies."

A recent Ipsos-Reid survey for CanWest News Service showed that 80 percent of Canadians believe increases in gasoline prices are due to gouging.

"Consumer protection works for similar industries. It works in other provinces. And it could work here," added Horgan. "My bill would protect consumers from wildly fluctuating gasoline prices by allowing real market forces to work while giving consumers the confidence that an independent body would oversee the process. If the Campbell government has a better plan, I invite them to put it before the Legislature next week. But if they won't take action on this issue, then I hope government MLAs will support my bill when I bring it forward for second reading."

The Retail Petroleum Consumer Protection Act would give the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) the ability to regulate retail gas price and would appoint an independent commissioner to ensure that the entire process is fair and above board. The BCUC currently regulates other energy sectors in B.C., and gasoline prices are already regulated in several provinces in Canada.

The Retail Petroleum Consumer Protection Act can be viewed at http://www.leg.bc.ca/38th3rd/1st_read/m201-1.htm

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