Vancouver, BC (WNews): It may be April Fools tomorrow but the tax and service increases are no joke. Life in Canada’s most expensive Province and the rest of the country is going up tomorrow with three key services increasing in price.
The BC NDP’s first increase of the carbon tax in seven years is expected to begin tomorrow with the average price of gas going up 1 cent a litre or 17%. The gas prices already the most expensive in North America is expected to go up every year for the next few years. The Liberal Government originally brought in the carbon tax in 2003 as a way to bring down the Carbon emissions.
Gas prices have been increasing the last many months as more Canadians are driving and the change over to Summer gas from winter gasoline. In BC, the price of gas in some parts reached $1.60 a litre, an all-time record. This summer is expected to be record highs once again as people driving habits picks up.
In other parts of the country, the Federal Liberal carbon tax is being introduced in Ontario, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and New Brunswick. The new tax is to expect to increase prices of gas and many other products. The controversial tax is being forced onto provinces that have not a carbon tax in place. The new carbon tax is part of Canada’s fight on climate change and the goal is to reduce carbon emission.
BC Hydro is also increasing rates tomorrow at 8.1%. The NDP Government tried to freeze rates but the BC Utilities Commission denied the Government requested.
BC dumper fire also known as ICBC is increasing rates for the second time in less than 6 months due to the increasing cost of claims. The average insurance is expected to go up 6,3% as the NDP Government is trying to turn ICBC from a $1 Billion lost to a surplus in just two years.
New changes for injuries claims also take effect this April which caps minor injuries to $5,000. The change is part of the ICBC overhaul which is expected to lower the claim costs. This September, ICBC is moving to a driver base insurance system which will put the claims on the driver instead of the vehicle owner.
Andrew Sheer, The leader of the opposition party, the Conservative party has mentioned that the increased taxes especially the carbon taxes will hurt Canadians including the middle class. Sheer is campaigning to remove the carbon tax and end taxes on heating bills.
Sin taxes are going up for alcohol and tobacco tomorrow with the average price of a pack of smokes going up a $1. More increase is expected on Canada’s Day of other services like TransLink’s prices is going up.
List of Tax and Services Increases
- ICBC | 6.3%
- BC Hydro | 8.1%
- Carbon Tax Increase for B.C. | 17%
- New Carbon Tax across Canada
- SIN Tax increase for smokes and alcohol
