BC Liberals call for provincial gas tax pause

With pressure rising on governments to take action on surging gas prices, the BC Liberals are outlining a series of proposals, highlighted by a call for a pause in the gas tax.

The price at the pump has been soaring, breaking records in B.C., and drivers in Metro Vancouver have been paying as much as $2.229 per litre.

The official opposition is proposing three changes to give drivers a break.

In addition to a call for a temporary suspension in the provincial gas tax, the Liberals also want the province to issue a one-time rebate via the climate action tax credit and suspend what the party calls a hidden import tax on gas coming in from Alberta.

“Let’s be clear, the NDP has no idea or willingness to try to bring any relief at the pump,” BC Liberal finance critic Peter Milobar argued during question period at the legislature on Tuesday. “We have suggested that they could suspend provincial gas taxes in Alberta, which did see a 13 cent litre drop at the pump.”

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When asked about this during question period, deputy premier Mike Farnworth did not commit to any adjustments, only pointing to previous moves the NDP government has made to eliminate costs like bridge tolls and Medical Service Plan premiums.

“The insurance on my vehicle is 20 per cent cheaper than it was when under that side of the house, and I’m not paying tolls to cross the bridge to go over to Surrey honorable speaker. I remember talking to a small business person who said that was saving him $15,000 a month when we did away with that honorable speaker. I’ll tell you what else I don’t have to worry about and family’s in my community don’t have to worry about, they don’t have to worry about MSP premiums,” Farnworth said.

On Monday, one of B.C.’s major refined fuel suppliers said there was nothing it could do to ease the immediate pressures of high gas prices. Bob Espey, president and CEO of Burnaby-based Parkland Corp, said the war in Ukraine is a major factor.

“Restrictions that have been placed on Russia have reduced the amount of refined product globally, and that’s further driven up prices around the world. So, it’s not just a B.C. phenomenon.”

Metro Vancouver drivers pay some of the highest taxes on fuel in the country. Still, even after taking those taxes into account, the base cost is more than neighbouring Alberta and Washington state, where it’s at least 70 cents less per litre.

With files from Liza Yuzda