The opposition environment critic and MLA for Kamloops North is calling for the province to act to fend off sky high gas prices in the lower mainland, as the Premier hints at relief to come.

Peter Milobar says the tax burden on a tank of fuel is unacceptable and the province needs to do its share and lighten the load.

“We have been calling for over a year now for the Premier to adopt proper strategy around spiking gas prices. We have the highest gas taxes in North American in British Columbia, flat out. April 1st they went up yet again with the carbon tax. They are going to go up April 1st next year and they are going to go up April 1st the year after. There is no offset for the average person despite what the government may try to tell people.”

But would reducing the gas tax burden really lower gas prices or would it mean more money for big oil companies who would just raise prices again anyway?

“I think they are trying to play both sides of the coin on this frankly. Yes it might not drive the price down completely but they actually do control the price of provincial gas tax in this province and they are unwilling to do anything to actually address that.”

He says the the NDP government is being hypocritical on the issue hinting at gas price relief while opposing the Trans Mountain pipeline.