Despite lower gas prices, the BC Utilities Commission(BCUC) continues its investigation of the cost at the pumps in Quesnel.
The Commission launched its inquiry on December 3, requesting retail fuel stations to share pricing information.
“The inquiry is still ongoing, and we are still receiving and reviewing the pricing information from some retail fuel stations in Quesnel,” says a spokesperson from the BCUC via email. “We[the BCUC] are still waiting for responses from some retail fuel stations’ information; we are continuing to look into these complaints and get answers.”
The inquiry came after groups of motorists in and around Quesnel started a boycott of certain retail fuel stations, such as Petro-Canada and Chevron. Motorists also wrote to the Utilities Commission and local MLAs to get information as to why Quesnelers were paying steeper costs.
A full month after the boycott and the investigation, gas prices in Quesnel have lowered considerably to be nearly on par with Prince George. At one point, motorists were paying upwards of 20 cents per litre more than in Williams Lake and in Prince.
According to GasBuddy.com, the price of gas at the Petro-Canada in Quesnel is now 153.8 cents per litre. The same as in Prince George. Whereas the prices in Williams Lake have risen, it is now 157.9 cents per litre at the Lake City’s Petro-Canada.
A spokesperson from the Ministry of Energy and Climate Solutions said via email “the Ministry is concerned with the findings of the BCUC’s inquiry. Providing a high level of transparency around how fuel prices are set, and to shine a light on potential unfair pricing and gouging is exactly why we brought in the Fuel Price Transparency Act.”
The spokesperson continued by saying that the Ministry is waiting for the findings of the BCUC’s investigation.
A member of the boycott in Quesnel, who wishes to remain nameless, said this first month will be the “real test” in seeing what fuel retailers in Quesnel do to lower the prices and keep them fair.
“We want answers as to why it has been so high until recently, and the boycott should continue until we can have full transparency from the stations. They should have to earn our trust that they are not going to gouge us, back… I hope The Commission and Ministry are taking this as serious as they can, it is unfair to drivers who live in this community and need to fuel up daily.”
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