By Canadian Press

B.C. to scrap consumer carbon tax if federal government drops legal requirement: Eby

Sep 12, 2024 | 3:20 PM

VANCOUVER — British Columbia Premier David Eby says his government will end the provincial carbon tax on consumers and shift the onus to “big polluters” if the federal government removes a legal requirement to keep the tax in place.

Eby says B.C. residents are struggling with affordability, but a re-elected NDP government would make “big polluters” pay a price for carbon to take action on climate change.

He says the federal government’s approach to the carbon tax has “badly damaged” what was a political consensus on the issue in the province.

Eby says the carbon tax has been “politicized” and his government will scrap its long-standing version if the federal government removes a “legal backstop” requiring the province to keep it.

In 2008, B.C. became the first Canadian jurisdiction to introduce a carbon tax under the previous BC Liberal government.

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Eby says the “context and challenges” facing British Columbians has changed amid high interest rates, inflation and affordability issues, and a new approach would ensure “big polluters are paying their fair share.”

B.C. Conservative leader John Rustad says Eby’s “reversal” on the tax is a “desperate attempt to salvage his sinking political ship.”

The province goes to the polls on Oct. 19.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 12, 2024.

The Canadian Press