The B.C. government promised Friday to examine suggestions by its gas-pricing inquiry that found motorists are paying more for gas than they would in a truly competitive market.
Potential actions include regulating prices, as is done in Quebec and Atlantic Canada.
The provincial government-commissioned gas-pricing inquiry undertaken by a B.C. Utilities Commission panel found there is an unexplained difference in wholesale gas prices of 13 cents a litre in Metro Vancouver with the U.S. Pacific Northwest market that helps set prices in the province.
The difference is about six cents in northern B.C., according to the inquiry’s findings released Friday.
The commission estimated that discrepancy costs B.C. motorists $490 million annually.
Jobs, Trade and Technology Minister Bruce Ralston said the inquiry’s findings were “very significant” and showed that price gouging does exist.
He said he would recommend the province implement an extended one-month comment period suggested by the panel, which could possibly provide more answers around the unexplained 13-cent higher price.
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