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Campbell wrong, tax leaves northern B.C. behind |
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Written by -- Brian Skakun, city councillor
Prince George
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Thursday, 15 May 2008 |
I feel it is important that the residents of our community know more about the implications of the provincial carbon tax.
Finance Minister Carol Taylor said that we will have to change our lifestyles to use less energy and fossil fuels. Premier Campbell states: "There is no one in the province that will not be ahead of the game at the end of the year as a result of the actions we have taken."
Many people disagree and without a doubt, proof of that are the seven resolutions that were passed at the recent NCMA convention asking the province to make carbon tax more equitable for
northern B.C.
Northern communities are at a disadvantage with regards to public transit infrastructure and do not have the options the Lower Mainland has. Metro Vancouver has a transit tax but we still pay more for gas than many areas of the Lower Mainland.
As it stands, many people who make their living by driving will be hit hard. From taxi drivers and couriers to logging and long haul trucks, all will be faced with increased costs. The B.C. Trucking Association says that the new tax will cost the trucking industry in B.C. tens of millions of dollars in the next five years.
On average, a single operator of one truck will pay $1,000 more this year in fuel taxes, $3,000 in 2009 and $6,000 in 2012. There will be opportunities to pass these costs on to consumers and other times they will not be able to and will be expected to absorb those costs themselves.
The majority of residents and businesses in northern B.C. heat their homes with some type of gas or oil and will pay more as a result of the tax. We never want get to the point when economics force people to burn wood in order to heat their homes in our challenged local environment.
There is no doubt we have to make lifestyle changes to help the environment, but in order to do so it has to happen on an even playing field.
Our MLAs have been there for us during the flooding and providing funding for several large local projects and I hope they will have some influence with our premier and finance minister regarding this unfair tax. The provincial government has to stop the one-size-fits-all approach and realize residents of rural and northern B.C. have different challenges than Metro Vancouver.
-- Brian Skakun, city councillor
Prince George
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 15 May 2008 )
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