Commission to look into why Squamish pays more for gas

The British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) is investigating high gas prices in Squamish, and will start to collect and publish data on gas prices in town.

Bruce Ralston, the Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, said he was happy that the BCUC will investigate why communities such as Squamish are still paying significantly more compared to neighbouring regions.

“I’m pleased to see the BCUC is looking into why people in Powell River, Revelstoke, Port Alberni and Squamish are paying more for gasoline, in response to public feedback from these communities,” he said.

Ralstone said people deserve transparency and fairness when it comes to gasoline prices.

Using its new powers under the Fuel Price Transparency Act, the BCUC will collect and publish additional data for four cities, including for Squamish, at GasPricesBC.ca

The data will be collected from June 1 to September 30. Data will be collected for area the commission heard about the most: Powell River, Revelstoke, Port Alberni, and Squamish.

Data from Nanaimo and Langley will also be collected and used for comparative purposes.

“We will remain diligent as we watch the market and keep the industry accountable,” the minister said.

BCUC earlier conducted an inquiry into gasoline prices, which found a lack of competition and substantial markups in the gasoline market, including a 10% to 13% per-litre premium being charged to drivers that industry was unable to explain.

People in the province were paying an extra $490 million every year because of this commission.

Following the inquiry, the BC Government brought in the Fuel Price Transparency Act,  giving the commission more power to collect and publish information on refined fuel imports and exports, fuel volumes at refineries and terminals, and wholesale and retail prices.

It will help ensure companies are held publicly accountable for unexplained markups and price increases, government said.