Gas price hits 216.9 cents a litre in Greater Victoria
The price of gasoline jumped again at some Greater Victoria stations on Monday, shattering records established just last week.
A pair of gas stations in Sooke, B.C., were charging 216.9 cents per litre Monday, currently the highest price in the region.
"That's pretty steep and at this point probably not justified," said Dan McTeague, president of Canadians for Affordable Energy.
"That would mean a retail margin in the vicinity of about 20 cents a litre."
Stations elsewhere in the region averaged between 194.9 cents and 200.9 cents per litre Monday afternoon, though several others were charging 208.9 per litre.
B.C. Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth says the province has no plans to follow Alberta's lead by reducing taxes on gasoline amid the unprecedented cost.
Farnworth told reporters Monday that gas prices are driven by events outside of the government's control, namely the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which has sent energy prices skyward in recent days.
"The reality is, there is significant instability in the energy market on a global basis, directly related to the invasion of Ukraine by Russia," said Farnworth.
In response to the price hike, the Alberta government announced it is reducing its tax by 13 cents per litre on both gasoline and diesel.
Alberta Premier Jason Kenney also announced the government would give $150 rebates on electricity bills starting April 1.
With files from The Canadian Press
CTVNews.ca Top Stories

BREAKING 'Critical incident' involving RCMP in Coquitlam, B.C. premier says
B.C. Premier David Eby says there has been a "critical incident" in Coquitlam involving the RCMP, but he declined to provide additional details or confirm any injuries or fatalities.
LIVE UPDATES War in Ukraine 'must end with our victory,' Zelenskyy tells Parliament as PM pledges $650M in aid
Addressing a joint session of Parliament, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy offered repeated thanks to Canada for its continued support for his country as it continues to defend itself from Russia's invasion. In his introductory remarks, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Canada will be making a $650 million 'multi-year commitment' for further Ukraine aid.
TREND LINE Conservatives extend summer lead over Liberals, NDP sees bump in Nanos ballot tracking
With the fall sitting of Parliament underway, Nanos ballot tracking shows the federal Conservatives continue to hold onto the lead they’ve had all summer while the Liberals remain stalled, and the NDP has managed to gain a bit of steam in third place.
Sen. Menendez, wife indicted on bribe charges as probe finds $100,000 in gold bars, prosecutors say
Sen. Bob Menendez was charged Friday with secretly aiding the authoritarian regime of Egypt and trying to thwart the criminal prosecution of a friend in exchange for gold bars and cash as prosecutors unsealed a corruption indictment that accuses him of using his foreign affairs influence for personal gain.
Former senior RCMP official fighting his spying charges with a Charter challenge
The trial of Cameron Ortis, a former RCMP intelligence official accused of providing top-secret national security data to unauthorized persons, could be derailed by a constitutional challenge just days before jury selection.
A 9/11 defendant is ruled unfit for trial after a medical panel finds torture left him psychotic
A military judge at Guantanamo Bay has ruled one of the 9/11 defendants unfit for trial after a military medical panel found that the man's sustained abuse in CIA custody years earlier has rendered him lastingly psychotic.
Canada Post reviewing use of address data following criticism from privacy watchdog
Canada Post says it is reviewing how it uses data for tailored marketing campaigns after the federal privacy watchdog found the post office was breaking the law by gleaning information from the outsides of envelopes and packages.
Premier Doug Ford announces cabinet shuffle hours after third minister resigns in a month
Premier Doug Ford is shuffling his cabinet for the second time in recent weeks after Ontario Labour Minister Monte McNaughton announced Friday he is stepping away from politics to move into the private sector.
Ontario woman issues warning about scam involving fake Service Canada employee that cost her $50K
An Ontario woman is warning others after a fraudster impersonating a Service Canada employee convinced her to empty out $50,000 from her bank account.