I’ve been ruminating for the past few days on this article in the 100 Mile Free Press, outlining BC ranchers’ concerns over the loss of the HST and the heavy burden of the carbon tax on the cattle industry.

From the Free Press:

Lac la Hache rancher Marvin Monical says he is in total agreement with pursuing a carbon-tax exemption on farm fuel purchased in the province. "The carbon tax was to get people out of their cars and use transit.  There is no transit available where ranchers need to go."

He notes the carbon tax on fossil fuel consumption is unfair to ranchers whose daily operations often require the use of tractors, farm equipment, pickups and five-ton cattle trucks, none of which can be facilitated by public transit.

There is a big difference between an urban commuter and a rural rancher, Monical says, and they should not be taxed the same way.

The “sky-high costs” of fuel only drives the demise of the ranchers' livelihood, as well as their ability to provide food for British Columbians.

"I guess the government doesn't realize that transit doesn't haul a horse trailer behind their buses."

According to the BCCA, the cost of fuel has tripled, due in part to the carbon tax, so it will be joining forces with other agriculture groups in its battle to relieve farmers and ranchers of the carbon-tax burden.

Meanwhile, Premier Christy Clark is crisscrossing BC, making announcements as part of her government’s job agenda, Canada Starts Here.

I can’t help but wonder how many jobs have been affected by the carbon tax. It’s bad enough to pay it in urban areas, where transit exists. It must be infuriating to be a rancher living in Lac la Hache and have to pay it on all your farm fuel, heating fuel, and gasoline. In a tough economy, government must re-examine every tax, every levy, and make sure it isn’t impeding the ability of people to work and feed and clothe their families.

The carbon tax legislation finishes on July 1, 2012, with one last increase. Ending that tax is a key part of your Canadian Taxpayers Federation’s pre-budget submission to the provincial government.