Vancouver gas prices set record for 2nd time in as many days
For the second day in a row, gasoline has hit a new record high price in Metro Vancouver.
Some stations in the region were advertising a litre of regular gas for $2.339, a six-cent increase from Saturday's record price of $2.279.
In an interview with CTV News on Saturday, gas price analyst Dan McTeague, president of Canadians for Affordable Energy, predicted the rise. His website, Gas Wizard, forecasts prices remaining at their current levels through Tuesday.
“It’s very much a sign of where I think we're going to be at least for the foreseeable future, as we head into the summer driving season, which, for all intents and purposes, hasn't really begun until next week and the week after in the United States," McTeague said Saturday.
The record high prices seen in Vancouver and across the country have largely been blamed on Russia's invasion of Ukraine, though other factors – including inflation, refinery capacity, and a recent increase in carbon taxes – have also contributed to the phenomenon.
The B.C. government has sought to offer drivers a bit of a break from the high prices in the form of a $110 rebate for most ICBC customers. Some residents will see their rebate arrive by direct deposit this month, others will receive a cheque in June.
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. "Is there a way you can do it with a neighbour or someone who’s going by?"
The Official Opposition BC Liberals have condemned the premier's approach, arguing that more can and must be done to provide relief to drivers.
They propose temporarily freezing the provincial gas taxes; providing a one-time rebate through the Climate Action Tax Credit, which would be issued July 5; and suspend a 25-cent so-called "hidden import" tax on gas brought to B.C. from Alberta.
“We could see some substantial changes to prices almost overnight if the government had any will to actually bring forward any type of short-term inflationary measures,” said Peter Milobar, the Liberals' critic for finance.
“People are really struggling right now. They need help. They don't need more empty words from the premier.”
Horgan rejected the calls to temporarily suspend gas taxes, as the Alberta government did weeks ago.
“Removing taxes that are put in place to build infrastructure for transportation – whether it be transit, roads or bridges – is short-sighted,” the premier said.
Short-sighted or not, the calls for gas tax relief are unlikely to end any time soon. McTeague told CTV News on Saturday that he expects gas to reach $2.50 a litre in Metro Vancouver over the summer.
With files from CTV News Vancouver's Angela Jung
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Town of Fort Nelson, B.C., ordered to evacuate due to wildfire
The entire town of Fort Nelson, B.C., as well as the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation, has been ordered to evacuate due to an out-of-control wildfire.
Bouchard lifts Edmonton Oilers to 4-3 overtime win over Canucks in Game 2
Evan Bouchard scored 5:38 into overtime and the Edmonton Oilers bounced back for a 4-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs on Friday.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.