Gas prices falling in Okanagan, Kamloops thanks to carbon tax cut

The gas prices you’re seeing in Kamloops and the Okanagan aren’t an April Fool’s Day prank.

For the first time in 17 years B.C. no longer has a consumer carbon tax so drivers filling up their tanks are seeing lower prices as of today, April 1.

The provincial government killed the consumer carbon tax in time to align with the death of the federal carbon tax. The government expects gas prices to fall by around 17 cents per litre today due to the carbon tax cut.

READ MORE: B.C. ends its carbon tax on consumers after marathon debate in legislature

As of 10:30 a.m., the cheapest gas in the region is in Penticton at 132.3 cents a litre at a Mobil gas station.

Kelowna’s lowest gas price is at a Chevron station is at 140.4 cents a litre.

At a Vernon Esso station you can buy a litre of regular for 143.9 cents.

Kamloops is lagging behind with Costco’s gas price set at 156.9 cents a litre.

The BC Utilities Commission says it will monitor the market to determine whether gas companies are passing on savings from the removal of the tax to consumers.

Prices are falling around the country as well with the average price sitting at $1.53 a litre.

B.C. has the most expensive gas out of any province with an average of $1.73 and Ontario has the cheapest gas with an average price of $1.46.

For the latest gas prices in Kamloops, Vernon, Kelowna and Penticton go here.

— With files from The Canadian Press