Record-breaking gas prices in Victoria are still holding at about 162 cents a litre and could go up even more.
Dan McTeague, a senior analyst at GasBuddy.com, tweeted that there’s a chance prices could rise another seven to eight cents this week.
Not sure but there’s a good chance that #Victoria gas prices could rise 7-8 cents to 168.9 cts/l beginning later this afternoon or tomorrow as gas stations have been absorbing the higher costs over the Easter weekend https://t.co/NcFDs4HaRH
— Dan McTeague (@GasBuddyDan) April 22, 2019
With no sign of relief from high gas prices, residents in the area are vocalizing their frustration to Premier John Horgan.
ALSO READ: Victoria sees highest gas prices on record
At a news conference in Sooke on Tuesday where Horgan was speaking, a heckler drove by and shouted about the carbon tax.
Horgan responded by saying the carbon tax is not the reason for the increase in prices at the pumps, blaming refiners for not making enough product to meet the demand for gas in the province.
“A one penny a litre increase on April 1 does not account for a 25 cent increase since that one cent was put in place,” Horgan said. “We need to talk to the gas companies about why they’re not refining more product to meet demand in the marketplace.”
Horgan said the federal government has a consumer protection agency that should be looking into the prices in B.C. but also said he would raise the issue with the prime minister the next time he has an opportunity to do so.
ALSO READ: John Horgan says spike in gasoline prices is profit-taking, not taxes
With an election campaign coming in the fall, Horgan said all political parties should have more concern about the travelling public in B.C.
On Wednesday morning, the average gas price for Greater Victoria was at 162 cents per litre. The last highest recorded average gas price in the area was 147.2 cents per litre in July of 2008.
The gas station with the lowest price — at 158.9 cents per litre — was Costco in Langford according to GasBuddy.com.
The website shows reports of some stations charging 167.9 and 165.9 cents per litre as of Wednesday morning as well while further up the Malahat gas is hovering around 156.9 cents per litre.
shalu.mehta@goldstreamgazette.com