B.C. Premier John Horgan says ‘gouging’ to blame for higher gas prices, not taxes

VICTORIA – Premier John Horgan says price gouging, not higher taxes, is responsible for skyrocketing gasoline prices in British Columbia.

Horgan says the price per litre rose nine cents between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning and that suggests fuel companies are seeking bigger profits.

He says there's a disconnect between the price of a barrel of oil and the price at the pumps and he's raised the issue of gouging with the federal government.

Opposition Liberal Leader Andrew Wilkinson accused Horgan of a "tax grab" last week after the NDP government approved a 1.5 per cent increase in the gas tax to fund Metro Vancouver transit.

But Horgan says the Metro Vancouver mayors' council asked him for assistance to cover the shortfall in funding new transit projects, and he gave them a tax tool they have the option of using.

The council has said that if it finds other ways to make up the shortfall, it won't have to use the increased gas tax.