MLA Jackie Tegart
Months ago, Kevin Falcon and our BC United team proposed practical steps to make life in British Columbia more affordable. We highlighted the urgent need for action against the soaring cost of living. Despite our call, David Eby has chosen paths that deepen the financial strain on families.
Starting April 1, David Eby’s carbon tax increased by 23 per cent, costing families more money to fuel their vehicles. This has devastating effects on our small communities that don’t have access to reliable and accessible public transportation.
This comes at a time when British Columbia is already home to the highest gas prices and taxes in North America. Now families are forced to pay more to simply go to work or school.
When the carbon tax was first introduced in 2008, it was supposed to help, not hurt. It was meant to be a revenue-neutral measure: the carbon tax returned collected funds to the people and businesses of British Columbia in rebates, ensuring that it did not become an additional financial load.
But in 2017, the NDP pivoted away from the carbon tax’s original intent. They removed its revenue neutrality, paving the way for never-ending hikes. Today, the carbon tax has more than doubled and is on track to triple by 2030. Still, David Eby refuses to halt the hike.
However, BC United’s plan to make life more affordable will bring relief to families. If elected, we will scrap the provincial fuel tax, remove the carbon tax on all home heating and on-farm fuel use, and cancel David Eby’s planned carbon tax hikes.
British Columbians cannot afford another four years of David Eby’s NDP. You deserve a government that actively works to reduce living costs and under Kevin Falcon, we will do just that.
United, we will fix the NDP’s affordability crisis.
Jackie Tegart is the BC United MLA for Fraser-Nicola.