Polls show that support for the carbon tax is falling in B.C., and it’s hit rock bottom from one Maple Ridge senior.
John McKenzie says pensioners like himself, and others on a fixed income, are going to feel yet another financial cut this winter, when they turn on their gas furnaces.
Early in the year, the first time he turned on his gas heat to take the chill out of his place, McKenzie examined his subsequent bill from Fortis. He was shocked to see he pays substantially more in carbon tax than he did for the gas itself.
When he saw that his gas charge was $1.56 and the carbon tax on it was $2.27, he started contacting local MPs and MLAs to voice his displeasure. He believes the tax is an unfair charge for the “little guy,” while Canadian companies continue to export coal to China and other nations, and large gas companies get government subsidies.
“We’ve had it (a carbon tax) for over a decade, and it hasn’t reduced our emissions,” he said.
B.C.’s carbon tax was North America’s first, implemented in 2008. It rose to $65 per tonne of emissions in April this year, and a federal mandate will see it at $170 per tonne by 2030.
McKenzie said people can’t afford it any longer, with high housing prices, grocery prices, and inflation that is running on high fuel prices.
“Why are we collecting a tax on this, at a time when people are really struggling?” asks McKenzie. “The high cost of living is just breaking people.”
A new poll shows declining support for the provincial carbon tax, with opposition at 49 per cent in B.C.. Support has dropped to 24 per cent, with others polled neutral or unsure. The Innovative Research Group poll was conducted for the Canadian Taxpayers’ Federation.
READ ALSO: Support for B.C.’s carbon tax fading, poll shows
Carson Binda, BC director for the federation, said support is trending down because people can’t afford to keep paying the “outrageously high costs of the carbon tax.”
“Folks also understand how unfair it is for certain regions in the country — like the Atlantic provinces — to get carve-outs on home heating while the rest of us are paying through the teeth to stay warm this winter,” Binda added.
Asked by The News about the carbon tax on gas bills, Fortis said the company supports B.C.’s climate goals.
“There is a separate line item on a customer’s gas bill for the carbon tax,” said spokesperson Lauren Lea. “The carbon tax is set by the provincial government and is calculated on a per gigajoule (GJ) basis. FortisBC is required to collect the carbon tax on behalf of the provincial government. FortisBC does not receive any revenue from the carbon tax. In April 2023, the provincial carbon tax increased for all gas customers. The carbon tax rate increased from $2.55 per GJ to $3.23 per GJ. Natural gas continues to provide customers with an option on how they heat their home and is priced comparatively with electricity rates.”
She said gas rates are adjusted every three months, and customers pay what FortisBC pays for the commodity itself. In the most recent review of gas rates, all customers saw a decrease in the cost of gas rates as of Oct. 1.
Premier David Eby last week warned against pitting affordability against fighting climate change.
“So to tie that in with affordability, which every government knows we need to support people right now, is a mistake, because if we want to be a prosperous jurisdiction in the future, we are going to have to reduce carbon pollution and be a leader in this space now,” he said.
– with files from Wolf Depner
READ ALSO: Canadians want a carbon price pause on all home heating fuel: poll