VICTORIA, B.C.: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) launched a petition today opposing a proposed 2 cents/L gas tax increase in Greater Victoria, which would mean Capital Region drivers would pay the third-highest gas taxes in North America.

B.C. Transportation Minister Todd Stone has said he will consider the Victoria Regional Transit Commission’s request to increase gas taxes as part of the 2016-17 B.C. Budget. The CTF believes the hike should be rejected.

“Greater Victoria is taking the TransLink trail: raise taxes instead of finding efficiencies or reprioritizing spending to fund transportation improvements,” said Jordan Bateman, CTF B.C. Director. “TransLink started with a four cent per litre gas tax; today it’s 17 cents per litre plus five more in federal gas taxes. This is a slippery slope Victoria officials are taking taxpayers down.”

Greater Victoria drivers already pay $135.3 million every year in gas taxes. The proposed increase would add another $6.6 million.

“I doubt many Victoria residents feel they’re getting their money’s worth in gas taxes – where is that $135 million going every year?” questioned Bateman. “Before politicians demand more taxes, they should fully explain where the money already collected is being spent, and how these taxes link to transportation needs.”

The proposed 2 cents/L increase would vault Victoria into a tie for the third-highest gas taxes in North America. Currently, Victoria sits fourth:

1. Vancouver 49 cents/L
2. Montreal 47 cents/L
3. Quebec 43 cents/L
4. Victoria 41 cents/L
5. (tie) Newfoundland and Nova Scotia 40 cents/L

“This is not a bronze medal you want to win,” said Bateman. “Gas tax hikes increase every other cost – not only do we pay more at the pump directly, but businesses and governments pass along extra fuel costs through price and other tax increases.”

The CTF news conference was held as part of the organization’s national Gas Tax Honesty Day. In B.C., there are three different gas tax zones:

• Lower Mainland - 49 cents/L total (17c/L TransLink; 10c/L federal; 8.5c/L provincial; 6.7c/L B.C. carbon tax; 6.5c/L GST)
• Capital Region – 41 cents/L total (14.5c/L provincial; 10c/L federal; 6.7c/L B.C. carbon tax; 3.5c/L transit; 6.5c/L GST)
• Rest of B.C. – 37 cents/L total (14.5c/L provincial; 10c/L federal; 6.7c/L B.C. carbon tax; 5.5c/L GST)

For the full CTF Gas Tax Honesty Day national report, click HERE.

For gas tax charts of selected BC communities and all of BC, click here.

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 For more information, contact Jordan Bateman, CTF B.C. Director, at [email protected] or 604-999-3319.

 A recorded livestream of the full news conference is available on Jordan Bateman’s Periscope app feed.