BC United wants carbon tax eliminated on home heating fuels

The leader of the B.C. opposition is pushing for the provincial New Democratic government to exempt home heating fuels from the carbon tax.

BC United Leader Kevin Falcon made the call during Question Period in the Legislature Monday, suggesting if he were in power, that’s what he would do.

“As a premier, I can tell you I’d eliminate all home heating taxes immediately, giving British Columbians the relief they deserve from this NDP government’s middle-class squeeze,” he said.

Last week, the federal government announced it was increasing the carbon price rebate for rural Canadians and eliminating the carbon price from home heating oil entirely for the next three years.

This marked the first time the federal Liberals have retreated in any way from their carbon pricing policy.

Falcon says the federal government’s break won’t help British Columbians “unless this premier takes action.”

“Cold weather is here, furnaces are being turned on right across this province. So why won’t this premier provide B.C. homeowners the same break the federal government is giving people back east and eliminate the carbon tax on all home heating fuels in B.C. today?” the BCU leader asked.

However, Premier David Eby says the federal decision last week was “rushed,” adding it “protects a particular type of heating” and “doesn’t protect people.”

Eby did not indicate any plan to provide an exemption.

“Our commitment on this side of the house has been to take strong climate action while protecting people, providing, for example, carbon tax rebates. Still trying to figure out with the federal government where they’re headed on this issue. I appreciate the member opposite now opposes the carbon tax — that’s his position to flip and flop over. But, for us, we’re going to continue supporting people and take action on climate. It’s what British Columbians expect,” Eby said in response to Falcon.

The federal carbon tax only applies to provinces and territories that do not have their own pricing systems, like B.C.

The federal government notes that provinces and territories that have their own carbon systems “use the proceeds as they see fit, including by supporting families to take further action to cut pollution in a practical and affordable way.”

“When the Government of Canada implemented its backstop carbon pricing system in 2019, it committed to returning all direct proceeds from the federal backstop system to the jurisdiction of origin. Those governments that opted for the federal pricing system receive all the proceeds back to decide how to reinvest them,” the federal Environment and Natural Resources department explains.