Only a week after a CTV News series explored the problem of motorists getting short-changed at B.C.'s gas pumps, leaders of two federal parties have promised better consumer protection.

Both NDP Leader Jack Layton and Prime Minister Stephen Harper unveiled plans to stop price gouging at the pumps in campaign stops in B.C. Thursday.

"The Conservative government will introduce mandatory inspections at gas pumps to ensure that drivers who pay for a litre of gas receive a full litre," said Harper at a campaign stop in Victoria.

Among the measures promised by the Conservative government are mandatory inspections for gas pumps and fines that could range from $1,000 to $5,000 for stations whose pumps give out less gas than it says on the meter.

Repeat offenders could see fines as high as $50,000.

In Kelowna, Jack Layton said that he would create an entire consumer protection ministry that would examine price-fixing and anti-competitive behaviour.

"Unlike the outgoing prime minister we'll stop the rip-offs and watch your back," said Layton.

Last week, CTV News investigated gas pumps in B.C., uncovering a pump that were giving out gas with debris, and giving out less gas than it says on the meter.

And government records show that when a pump is not measuring correctly, most of the time it's the consumer that gets short-changed.

When it comes to making sure that the gas you pump meets federal standards, neither the provincial or federal governments say it's their responsibility, although B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell promised to look into the problem.

Consumer advocates welcomed the promises.

"This is something we've been asking for," said Mel Fruitman of the Consumers Association of Canada. "We feel that it is so important to consumers that it should be an election issue."

With a report from CTV British Columbia's Jon Woodward