B.C. NDP Leader David Eby said a re-elected NDP government would suspend a portion of the provincial gas tax and crack down on price gouging at the pumps.
Eby said Thursday his government would reduce the motor fuel tax by 10 cents a litre on gasoline and diesel in response to price increases linked to the U.S.-Iran war.
Speaking in Surrey, Eby alleged the major oil and gas companies that supply 90 per cent of the market have been exploiting international conflicts to further drive up the price of gas.
He said the companies were inflating their margins by as much as 20 cents a litre, referring to data from the B.C. Utilities Commission (BCUC).
The NDP is proposing a “price guard” to regulate gas and diesel prices in the province. The government would empower the BCUC to set maximum prices that retail stations can charge consumers for gas and diesel.
Maximum prices would vary by region and take into account benchmark crude oil prices, refining costs, retailer margins, transportation, taxes and other factors.
The NDP estimates the moves together would save B.C. drivers around $15 to $20 per fill-up, while long-haul truckers could save as much as $240 when filling up a 400-litre tank with diesel.
Trevor Halford, the B.C. Conservative candidate for Surrey-White Rock, responded to the plan, pointing to Eby’s 2024 campaign pledge to provide a $1,000 grocery and affordability rebate to families. The NDP government scrapped that rebate last year, citing economic uncertainty from U.S. tariffs.
Interim Leader Lorne Doerkson announced this week a Conservative government would remove the PST on Canadian beer, wine and spirits for the duration of the Canada-U.S. trade war.
Doerkson said he was committed to keeping U.S. alcohol off B.C. shelves.
The B.C. Greens released their plan to support renters on Wednesday. Leader Emily Lowan pledged to immediately reinstate the Community House Fund. The NDP government earlier this year ended funding to the program that helps communities build more affordable housing.
Lowan said the Greens would also implement vacancy control, tying allowable rent increases to units instead of tenants, and end pet bans for rentals.
