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“I wouldn’t categorically say no but at this point it’s my feeling this is largely a backward-looking inquiry and looking at what prices have been, what have spreads been between B.C. prices and prices in other provinces, and historically why has that been the case, and in recent history why has that been the case,” said Morton.

“I’m not sure we’d be looking forward and saying you’ve got to increase the pipeline capacity.”

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Horgan asked the commission on May 7 to conduct an inquiry into why B.C.’s gasoline prices are so much higher than the rest of Canada. The price at the pump in Metro Vancouver reached $1.79 a litre last month, though it currently hovers at the mid $1.50 to $1.60 range.

The Opposition Liberals have accused the NDP government of handcuffing the commission on the important issue of taxes. Federal, provincial and municipal taxes make up 52.5 cents per litre on the price of gasoline in Metro Vancouver.

Public anger at high gas prices, as well as a Liberal campaign to blame Horgan by erecting billboards along Lower Mainland highways, created enough political pressure that Horgan asked the commission to create an inquiry.