Carbon tax is grossly unfair: B.C. Conservative leader Bolin

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. – Another increase to the provincial Carbon Tax is coming on April 1st, and Conservative B.C. leader Trevor Bolin says the tax, especially on home heating fuels, is “grossly unfair.”

The carbon tax on gasoline will go from 8.89 cents per litre to 9.96 on April 1st. Carbon tax on natural gas, mainly used for home heating, will go from 1.9864 cents per gigajoule to 2.3053, which is a 16 per cent increase.

“Not only will direct costs increase for millions of British Columbians who have no choice but to drive their personal vehicles, the costs of everyday household needs, including the foods we eat, will climb due to higher transportation and manufacturing costs,” says Bolin.

The B.C. government released a table Thursday with changes to the carbon tax.

In a release Thursday, Bolin says the tax makes up almost 30 per cent of the commodity charges.

“How much more does this government expect to be able to squeeze from families and small businesses before they break?”

Last year, the carbon tax was deferred due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2008, the province initiated the first broad-based carbon tax in North America.

According to the provincial government, the carbon tax applies to the purchase and use of fossil fuels and covers approximately 70 per cent of provincial greenhouse gas emissions.

The B.C. government says new revenues generated from the increased carbon tax will be used to provide carbon tax relief and protect affordability, maintain industry competitiveness, and encourage new green initiatives.

Bolin says the recent cold temperatures in Fort St. John highlighted the need to keep homes warm.

“Frigid temperatures that included -40 in Fort St. John proved once again that a carbon tax, especially on home heating fuels, is grossly unfair. You can be sure the only thoughts on our minds were staying warm and being grateful for our energy industry.”