No additional relief coming for B.C. drivers right away as gas prices continue to soar
The B.C. authorities is not going to present any quick, extra monetary assist for drivers as gasoline costs proceed to interrupt data.
Power Minister Bruce Ralston stated Monday the province is taking a look at choices however has no present plans to step and deal with the rocketing value on the pumps.
In some elements of Metro Vancouver, drivers at the moment are paying greater than $2.229 per litre for fuel.
“I’m aware of the impacts elevated costs are having whether or not it’s on companies or on households the place you need to get your youngsters to soccer or to high school,” Ralston stated.
“We’re doing what we will and can think about different measures.”
The province has not offered particulars on what these different measures might be.
Clients of ICBC prospects will quickly obtain a $110-rebate from the general public insurer described by authorities as a fuel rebate. The cash is from a discount in crashes, nonetheless, and better-than-expected funding returns for ICBC.
Specialists, in the meantime, anticipated fuel costs will proceed to rise into the summer season.
Canadians for Inexpensive Power president Dan McTeague stated costs must be secure over the subsequent few days as a consequence of issues that top vitality costs might result in a worldwide recession.
The fuel analyst predicted costs will go up once more, nonetheless, as British Columbians begin to hit the street for summer season holidays.
“I feel we’re 10 to fifteen cents a litre increased than what we’re paying right now at occasions, however not on a regular basis,” McTeague stated in an interview. “I feel for lots of people will probably be their first journey for the reason that pandemic. It is not going to be the fuel they may lower, will probably be different issues.”
Walt Judas, CEO of the Tourism Business Affiliation of British Columbia, stated excessive gasoline costs will not be preferrred for the tourism contemplating it impacts flights, street journey, taxis and plenty of different issues.
A household driving a 2020 Toyota RAV4 for 1,500 kilometres on a street journey final yr, for instance, would have paid on common $1.74 per litre — an estimated fuel invoice of $206, he stated.
This yr, the identical car on the identical journey would have a $284-gas invoice based mostly on $2.40 per litre.
“Folks might forgo a restaurant meal or two, or keep in a distinct venue than they’d initially deliberate,” Judas defined. “They might forgo an exercise, which might hurt the tourism sector to make certain. We have now not seen that but, however little question that could be a chance.”
The BC Liberals are calling on the province to chop fuel taxes to supply reduction.
Alberta is at present not accumulating its provincial tax of 13 cents per litre of gasoline or diesel till no less than June 30 to ease the pressure on residents’ wallets.
“There are brief time period reliefs they will usher in, like Alberta did, when oil is excessive on the worldwide markets,” BC Liberals MLA Peter Milobar stated Monday.
