VICTORIA – With gas prices soaring on the eve of a long weekend, New Democrat Energy Critic John Horgan is calling on the Campbell government to reconsider their opposition to consumer protection for British Columbians being gouged at the pumps.

“We see this time and time again. Right before the long weekend, gas prices soar,” said Horgan, the MLA for Malahat-Juan de Fuca. “This is getting ridiculous. Consumers are sick and tired of getting hosed at the pumps while the Campbell government sits back and tells British Columbians that their rights are not as important as record profits for big oil.”

Motorists in Greater Victoria were paying 125.9 cents per litre, while a litre of gas in Greater Vancouver cost 131.9 cents this morning. According to the Gasoline Price Gouge Meter (www.gasgouge.ca), this represents a pure profit of 28.6 cents per litre in Victoria and 35.7 cents per litre in Vancouver.

“Coming at a time of record profits for big oil companies, the B.C. Liberals’ complete disregard for consumers who are getting hosed at the pumps is pretty hard to swallow,” said Horgan. “Other provinces are at least listening to the concerns of people who are calling for action on gas prices.”

The Ontario Minister of Energy earlier today called on the federal government to give the Competition Bureau the power to conduct a thorough investigation into gas price gouging. Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty has also said that he would be willing to debate a Private Member’s Bill introduced in that province that would require gasoline retailers in to give 72 hours notice of a price increase.

In March, Horgan introduced the Retail Petroleum Consumer Protection Act, which would protect consumers from wildly fluctuating gas prices by giving the B.C. Utilities Commission the power to regulate gas prices. The legislation received second reading on May 7, and remains on the Order Papers.