VANCOUVER, B.C.: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is calling on the B.C. government to suspend the provincial motor fuels tax to save taxpayers money as fuel prices soar. 

“B.C. drivers pay the highest gas prices in the country because of the highest gas taxes from the province and regional districts,” said Carson Binda, B.C. Director for the CTF. “Premier David Eby can’t control global events, but he can save families money at the pump.” 

Gas prices are over $2 per litre across Metro Vancouver and the Capital Regional District and are hovering around $1.80 in the rest of the province. 

British Columbian drivers pay the highest gas taxes in Canada. 

The tax bill for a minivan fill-up is about: $40.07 in Vancouver, $35.65 in Victoria and $31.55 across the rest of the province, according to CTF estimates.  

The provincial motor fuels tax adds 8.5 cents per litre to the cost of gasoline in Metro Vancouver and 14.5 cents per litre in the rest of the province. The total higher tax rate in Vancouver is largely driven by TransLink taxes from Metro Vancouver. 

Suspending the tax would save motorists in Vancouver $5.44 on every 64-litre minivan fill-up, while drivers in the rest of the province would save $9.28. 

“Eby should end corporate welfare so there’s money to cut taxes for everyone,” Binda said. “Suspending the motor fuels tax would lower the price at the pump in B.C. while conflict in the Middle East makes oil more expensive.” 

The B.C. government recently announced a new, $400 million corporate welfare slush fund to provide taxpayer handouts to big defence businesses. Eliminating that slush fund could pay for a 4.5-month gas tax suspension. 

“Normal B.C. taxpayers are struggling to pay their bills while global conflicts and tax hikes eat away at their bank accounts," Binda said. “Eby should cancel corporate welfare to pay for a tax cut that would support families and businesses across B.C.” 

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