When I hear some “expert: from Ottawa claiming that the carbon tax has driven down gas sales 15 per cent here in B.C., I have to chuckle. First, Statistics Canada clearly shows an uptick in fuel purchases over the past few years.

Second, more B.C. drivers are headed across the line than ever. The Canadian dollar, which dipped to 77 cents USD during the first year of the carbon tax, is now back to par. That means we have 23 cents more buying power in the U.S., on top of our usual tax savings. Add to that new rules allowing Canadians to bring more goods back into the country before paying duty, and business is booming. 

The only reason gas purchases in B.C. aren't even higher is because more of us are buying in the States.

And Canadians are taking advantage: Bellingham Costco members actually launched a Facebook group protesting how their Costco has been overrun by Canadians, and demanding a U.S.-only shopping time slot. 

Canadian travelers have prompted Bellingham Airport to build a $17 million expansion—it’s tripled in size. Almost a million people a year use Bellingham or Seattle airports instead of YVR. 

With gas prices up to 50 cents per litre lower than in Canada, you can bet nearly every driver crossing the line is filling up. Heck, some are filling their car, and every other container they can find.

The carbon tax—which affects the cost of fuel, travel and every good and service—is clearly having a negative effect on British Columbians. And for those Ottawa “experts” who claim otherwise—go wait in a border lineup at the Peace Arch one Saturday morning.