Fuming over gas prices?
Your ire is reasonable BY PIETA WOOLLEY | OPINION
Since 2019, the BC Utilities Commission has been investigating this anada’s most northern resiprovince’s higher-than-elsewhere dents endure months of exgasoline pricing. I was involved treme cold and dark that make as an intervenor in the Fuel Pricwinter on the Sunshine Coast seem es Transparency Act proceeding, like Xanadu – they also enjoy some where Parkland (AKA Chevron) of the country’s cheapest gasoline. complained that the corporation Since April of 2021, Nunavut’s would really rather not release gas sells at a set $1.09.9 a litre, “sensitive” pricing data for public from Iqaluit on the southern tip of consumption. Baffin Island, to Grise Fiord, more During the proceeding, qathet than 1,000 kilometres north of the Living represented the voice of BC’s Arctic Circle. media. Parkland, Shell, 7-11, HusShockingly, here in relativeky and several other vast Canadily-balmy qathet, gasoline prices an fuel corporations represented reached a new record in February: the industry. I wrote my heart out $1.79.9 a litre. Unlike in 2019, throughout 2020 and 2021, trying NOT A RECORD-BREAKER, YET: that price is not out of line with to convince the BCUC, over sev7-11 was an intervenor in the Parkour neighbouring communities eral submissions, that data transland proceeding at the BCUC, for (then, qathet was often about 23 parency is very much in the public the Fuel Prices Transparency Act. cents a litre higher). interest. This photo was taken February 23. In Comox, some gas stations hit That proceeding wrapped up in $1.79 in February as well. Courtenay topped out at February, long after it had exhausted me (but – no $1.64.9, and Sechelt reached $1.79.9. Even Vancou- surprise – the lawyers for Big Gas were still going ver hit $1.80 a litre – though that includes an addi- strong). A final report will come out soon – but based tional 12.5 cents in regional taxes. on its February 4 Proposed Recommendations to the What’s the difference? Why so cheap to bring BC Government (comments closed February 28), I gas across the Bering Sea, and so expensive on the am not holding my breath that media or citizens will be able to see much corporate fuel pricing data. In other words, I anticipate that the “transparency” part of BC Fuel Prices Transparency Act is moot for most British Columbians. Without the balance Weekly average, Market that local, granular transparency might have promFeb 15 2022 ised, prices in BC will likely continue to be higher than in other provinces, and higher here in qathet Canadian average $1.60 than elsewhere in BC. It’s a situation made more desperate because gas prices everywhere are so extraorqathet $1.79.9 (highest) dinary right now, due in part to surging demand, a Vancouver $1.77 low Canadian dollar, and the potential for increased conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Fort St. John (cheapest in BC) $1.52.2 So what’s next? My hope is that, without our government cracking Calgary $1.46.6 how to effectively check the fuel corporations that supply us, the Province will seriously consider wrestToronto $1.58.2 ing control of fuel from the private market. Instead, take a page from Nunavut: buy it, ship it, and sell it Montreal $1.67.1 for the public good… at $109.9 a litre. The price of fuel matters a lot – both to businessHalifax $1.58.4 es and individuals – especially in rural areas where public transportation is so sparse. Nunavut $1.09.9 I would be thrilled to be proved wrong on this. If the BCUC and the Fuel Prices Transparency Act Prices as reported at Kalibrate Global, formerly Kent are able to check BC’s gas prices and prove they’re Group. And, at Nunavut’s PPD, and local gas stations. fair by, let’s say this summer, I’ll salute their work as Salish Sea? In Nunavut, gas is bought, transported I fill my tank – whatever the price – and send a selfie and sold through the Petroleum Products Division to the Commission’s Chair and CEO, David Morton. of the territorial government on a break-even basis. But my guess is, instead I’ll be taking a deep Much like British Columbia controls the natural gas breath, and shelling out $2 a litre for regular unand electricity market through Fortis and BC Hydro, leaded, without knowing exactly who is making how Nunavut regulates gasoline. much off me, and whether it’s fair.
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qathet Living • March 2022 •
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