We Axed the Tax!
We removed the consumer carbon tax in BC! It’s gone—rather than increased on April Fool’s Day. It’s removed—rather than be adjusted to ZERO like the federal carbon tax (which could just as easily be hiked again).
We can all breathe a collective sigh of instant relief—at the pumps and in terms of home heating too. This should also translate into lower, or at least stable, costs for food and other goods. It should take some pressure off. But will it? That remains the question—and it’s the reason our team, the Official Opposition, debated this bill until 1:30 in the morning on April 1st.
It’s no secret that governments often fail to anticipate the unintended consequences of even well-meaning policy.
One of my roles here in Victoria, as part of the Official Opposition, is to critique and—yes—criticize the government’s actions. By asking tough questions and analyzing legislation, we’re holding them accountable, with the goal of making life better for British Columbians. While some constituents may hear snippets and think we’re just being negative or offering no solutions, this is, in fact, a critical part of our job.
For the Conservative caucus, removing the carbon tax and putting more money into the hands of everyday people has always been the goal. We campaigned on this—it’s a core value we’ve never wavered from. While we had been calling for this tax to be eliminated for many months, the NDP government opposed it at every turn—until they said that if the federal government acted, they would too.
And then, on March 31st, they brought forward Bill 8—the Carbon Tax Amendment Act—and pushed it through the Legislative Assembly in just one day.
With only a single day for debate, the bill is now in effect. But two big questions remain: Will they remove this tax from the corporate and industrial side as well? If not, that tax burden will continue to be passed onto consumers and how will they replace the revenue this tax was generating—especially from a government that just passed a budget with a $10.4 billion deficit?
If they’d given us more time—by starting the process of debate earlier, or by meeting with us in committees—we could have arrived at this date with more answers and real solutions.
One thing is crystal clear: British Columbians and Canadians alike are seeking relief. Affordability is at a crisis point for many. BC is resource-rich and diverse—we have solutions at our fingertips that include caring for the planet, embracing innovation and efficiency, and empowering our business sector to drive economic growth.
We need to reach a place where the conversation becomes more fulsome, collaborative, and less partisan. We are stronger together—it’s time we started believing that.
Kristina Loewen
kristina.loewen.mla@leg.bc.ca
Source Kelowna Now
