Prices at the pump shot to a new record high Monday around Greater Victoria.
Gas stations were changing signs to $2.329 a litre for regular gas — up 11 cents from a previous record high set one week ago.
Analysts have been warning drivers that effects of the continued conflict in the Ukraine, the rise in crude prices and the May long weekend — the traditional start of the summer driving season — would all cause an escalation in what we pay for fuel.
Prices are expected to stay high and even creep up into summer as Russia’s invasion of the Ukraine continues and sanctions against Russia, a global energy producer, remain.
Fuel-tracking company Gas Buddy said Monday the average price for regular gas in B.C. was $2.165 a litre. Across Canada, the average price is $1.998 a litre.
The B.C. Greens on Monday called on the provincial government to make public transit free for the next four months in light of the record price at the pump.
“British Columbians need immediate relief from the high costs of living. Free transit for the summer is a concrete way to reduce expenses,” said Sonia Furstenau, leader of the B.C. Greens and MLA for Cowichan Valley.
Furstenau said free monthly transit passes could save British Columbians up to $724 over the next four months.
She said the B.C. Greens have previously called on the government to hold oil and gas companies accountable for volatile gas prices, and to use the carbon tax dividend to provide British Columbians with regular rebates that encourage a shift away from oil and gas.
The B.C. Liberals outlined last week their plan to reduce the impact of high gas prices on consumers, calling on the province to suspend provincial gas taxes, which they said would provide savings 0f nearly eight cents per litre.
