Throng of tax, fee and rate hikes further raise cost of living in BC

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – Metro Vancouver gas prices are inching closer to record-setting territory after a five per cent carbon tax kicked in over the Easter long weekend, but fuel isn’t the only thing that became more expensive.

BC Hydro raised its rates by three per cent, which will cost the average homeowner an additional $3.75 per month. The crown corporation says the hike is needed to build up the province’s aging electrical grid.

Many of the tax increases outlined in the spring provincial budget also took effect April 1st, including for tobacco and luxury cars.

Cars priced between $125,000 and $149,999 are now taxed at 15 per cent instead of 10 per cent, while the tax on cars costing more than $150,000 has doubled to 20 per cent.

Every cigar and cigarette sold in BC now has 27.5 cents of tax on it, up 2.8 cents as of last Sunday. The tax on all other tobacco is up 12.8 cents to 37.5 cents per gram.

Meanwhile, the province’s home inspectors are being hit with a 36 per cent increase to their licensing fees, something the Home Inspectors Association B.C. has said will most likely translate into more costs for the consumer.

Tax hikes from the federal government have also kicked in, including a 1.5 per cent increase in federal excise tax affecting alcoholic beverages.

“When you live in a city like Vancouver, I guess any kind of tax on tax on tax really does hurt, especially when you are a student with student loans and living paycheque to paycheque,” says Erin, who lives in Metro Vancouver.

An Italian ex-pat named Alberto, however, argues that compared to much of Europe, people in BC don’t have it so bad.

“People are complaining here about gas prices, but they should live in Italy where it’s two euros a litre, which is like $2.50 dollars a litre? Let’s put it this way: We are blessed.”

Gas prices in Metro Vancouver are expected to hit $1.60 per litre for regular by mid-April.