B.C. hints at inflation, gas price relief amid rising cost of living

Whether it’s at the gas pump or the till in the grocery store, many British Columbians are feeling the pain of inflation.

The B.C. government is now suggesting some sort of action is coming, but it isn’t saying much about what form that relief could look like.

While Environment Minister George Heyman says the province is exploring options to help British Columbians, what’s becoming increasingly clear is that won’t come from removing the gas tax.

“The issue of oil prices is one that is not as simply fixed as simply committing to take some tax off or not. We see the cost of gas going up for British Columbians continually,” Heyman said.

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Other jurisdictions have made an effort to lower gas prices by reducing tax. For example, in Alberta, the province has temporarily removed its fuel tax.

Heyman says he wants B.C.’s plan to result in a more permanent break for people, pointing to the elimination of Medical Services Plan premiums as an example of a change the government has made in recent years.

“Prices continue to rise and there is no guarantee that removing a tax wouldn’t lead to companies filling that gap. What we need to find is the kind of measures I described earlier that are permanent relief.”

B.C. Premier John Horgan announced in March a one-time rebate of $110 to help provide some relief, though the move has been criticized by many who have questioned why the B.C. government didn’t opt to tackle taxes instead like some other provinces have done.

In response, the official opposition is calling for a temporary suspension of the provincial gas tax, a one-time rebate via the climate action tax credit, and a suspension of what the party calls a hidden import tax on gas coming in from Alberta.

However, Heyman says the financial strain the province is experiencing goes beyond gas prices, suggesting the cost of living in general is hitting residents the hardest.

Although the province has not outlined a solid plan to outweigh costs, the hint that change is on the way may offer some hope to struggling British Columbians.

In Vancouver, many people CityNews has spoken with have expressed a feeling of helplessness.

“As far as groceries, I went in [the store] the other day and small box of blueberries were $10. It’s hard. You have to really watch what you’re doing now. Just generally, [I’m] trying not to spend so much because everything is so expensive. It’s hard on a senior’s income,” Elizabeth recalled.

Brian is among the many who has opted to take his bike everywhere. However, he says that doesn’t mean he’s saving money right now.

“Groceries to me have always been expensive. For the last 10 years, the price of bread, the price of eggs, the price of everything has been going up, so what are you going to do? I’m on disability and I have a part-time job. I have to second guess every purchase right now. Normally, I like to buy clothes and books and all that but, but I’ve definitely had to restrain. It kind of sucks,” he said.

– With files from Sonia Aslam