The price of gas was 189.9 at the Tk'emlups Petro-Canada on Friday (Image Credit: CFJC Today)
ICBC REBATE

Insurance rebate to do little to relieve high gas prices: Liberal finance critic

Mar 25, 2022 | 3:43 PM

KAMLOOPS — Liberal finance critic Peter Milobar says the rebate announced Friday by the NDP will barely cover a full tank of gas for some drivers, and he feels the money will come too late.

The MLA for Kamloops-North Thompson says there is no relief at the pumps, saying the announcement is more of an insurance rebate coming from ICBC than anything.

“Electric vehicle owners will see a rebate as well, which is fine, but that very clearly indicates this is about insurance rebates, not about what people are paying at the pump,” said Milobar.

The $110 rebate for individuals and $165 for commercial drivers won’t come until June, which is too late according to Milobar when people need relief now.

“What we need to see is a real plan moving forward, something that won’t take two months to roll out,” he said. “The Carbon Action Tax Credit that we’ve been calling for would see results and cheques in people by the beginning of April. It can be turned around very quickly. It’s income-based. People in low- and middle-income families could see it scaled to be a higher level than higher-income earners. It would be much more equitable.”