VANCOUVER, B.C.: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) is drawing attention to two significant increases at BC Hydro and BC Ferries on April 1st.
“This April Fools’ Day, the joke is on taxpayers – but no one will be laughing,” said Jordan Bateman, the CTF’s B.C. Director. “People from other parts of Canada like to joke that B.C. stands for ‘Bring Cash’ – and it’s very hard to argue that point these days.”
BC Hydro rates jump 9 per cent tomorrow, the first of five straight scheduled annual increases. While government reports the average BC Hydro customer will see an $8 per month increase for 2014-15, many families report far higher hikes. All told, by 2018-19, an “average” Hydro customer paying $89 per month today will be on the hook for $25 more per month within five years.
BC Ferries fares are also up. To go from Tsawwassen to Victoria, for example, it will cost 75 cents more for adult walk-ons, $2 more for vehicles, plus a small uptick in the fuel surcharge. All told, a family of four, going roundtrip with a vehicle, will pay nearly $9 more. Free weekday rides for seniors also end April 1.
Canada Post has also raised its price for stamps, effective today, March 31, from 63 cents to $1. Buying stamps in bulk will cost 85 cents.
The April 1 increases are on top of recent hikes to EI ($23/year for average worker), CPP ($70/year), MSP ($60/year for a family), ICBC ($10/year), property taxes (varies by city), and Port Mann Bridge tolls (doubled to $3). Provincial income taxes have also gone up, due to the lower basic personal and spousal amount thresholds ($168.81/year per couple).
B.C.’s own budget documents show the average B.C. family will pay almost a thousand dollars more in provincial taxes this year than it did five years ago – not including Hydro, Ferries, ICBC, toll or transit fare increases. That’s the biggest jump of any Canadian province.
“If taxpayers feel they are falling further behind financially, it’s because they are,” said Bateman. “Compared to just five years ago, B.C. families are handing over an extra $20 to the provincial government every single week of the year – on top of all the Hydro, ICBC, Ferries and toll increases.”
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