Should transit be free in B.C. while gas prices soar? Green leader calls for relief
The B.C. Greens are calling on the provincial NDP to make public transit free for the next four months as gas prices hit an all-time high and the costs of living continue to increase.
Leader Sonia Furstenau says British Columbians need immediate relief, adding that free transit for the summer is a concrete way to reduce expenses.
An average monthly transit pass costs between $85 and $181. Furstenau says savings could be more than $724 over the next four months for residents.
"Premier Horgan said that people should take the bus because gas prices are out of reach. He can take an important step today to help British Columbians save money, and take cars off of the road," Furstenau said in a statement.
"We recognize that for many, an efficient transit network is not an option. This government has had five years to invest in expanding public transit across B.C. Instead, over and over we see the B.C. NDP promise but fail to be proactive in addressing affordability and climate change."
The call comes as B.C. broke price records multiple times over the weekend and eventually hit 233.9 for regular gas. One gas price analyst predicts prices could reach 250 cents per litre this summer.
Premier John Horgan has said his government is looking at other options for providing relief, but he had none to offer last week, advising people to "think before (they) hop in the car."
"Do you need to make that trip?" Horgan said last week. "Is there a way you can do it with a neighbour or someone who’s going by?"
According to Canadian gas-price prediction website Gas Wizard, Metro Vancouver is expected to see a slight drop in gas prices Wednesday to 230.9 cents per litre at some stations. However, that's still predicted to be the highest price in the country.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian gov't proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Boeing Starliner capsule's first crewed test flight postponed
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing's new Starliner space capsule was called off for at least 24 hours over a technical issue that launch teams were unable to resolve in time for the planned Monday night lift-off.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Newfoundland and Labrador latest province to tighten rules on Airbnbs
Newfoundland and Labrador is the latest jurisdiction to bring in stricter rules for short-term rentals, with a coming set of regulations that will force operators to register with the provincial government.