VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – A lot of people around the province are struggling to keep up as gas prices continue climbing. According to a new survey, many British Columbians are finding it harder to afford certain necessities due to climbing fuel prices.

That’s the situation for about 50 per cent of British Columbians, according to a new survey from the Angus Reid Institute.

“When it comes to juggling expenses, there’s a massive divide between those struggling to afford gas and those less affected,” reads the report from the institute. “More than two-in-five (44%) Canadians say rising gas prices have made it harder for them to afford necessities.”

(Angus Reid Institute)

Results show many Canadians have changed their commuting behaviour due to the rising prices. The survey found this is especially true in B.C., the province with the highest gas prices per litre. Many British Columbians reported rethinking their road trips this Victoria Day long weekend.

“British Columbians are more likely to have made changes to their behaviour in response to rising gas prices. Seven-in-ten (71%) who report feeling the pain of increasing gas prices say they have made at least one of the changes canvassed in this survey,” read the report.

Cap on the cost

The survey also found the high prices have seven in ten British Columbians supporting a cap on maximum gas prices, similar to what’s already in place in Quebec and Atlantic Canada.

“The majority of (59%) British Columbians say their government isn’t doing enough to address gas prices, with this sentiment most intensely felt in rural areas and small towns.” read the report.

(Angus Reid Institute)

So who’s to blame?

Federally, Conservative-minded Canadians overwhelmingly blame government taxes, while supporters of other parties are more likely to point a finger at oil companies trying to maximize profits.

“Resentment towards oil companies is driven largely by people in Quebec, where a full majority (55%) say corporate interests are to blame,” reads the report. “The only other province where those blaming oil companies outnumber those blaming government is B.C., though respondents there are more divided than Quebecers, overall.”

The survey was done online from May 7-10 2019 among a sample of 1,921 Canadian adults, including 600 British Columbia residents. According to the institute, probability samples of such size would have a margin of error of +/- 2.2 and +/- 4 per cent.