British Columbia’s politicians are back in the legislature after a two-week break with the government trying to fast-track the end of the consumer carbon tax in the province. The NDP’s bill amending B.C.
British Columbia’s politicians are back in the legislature after a two-week break with the government trying to fast-track the end of the consumer carbon tax in the province. The NDP’s bill amending B.C.
British Columbia’s politicians are back in the legislature after a two-week break with the government trying to fast-track the end of the consumer carbon tax in the province.
The NDP’s bill amending B.C.’s Carbon Tax Act to set the consumer rate at $0 has passed its first reading with BC Green Rob Botterell the lone dissenting vote.
Premier David Eby’s government is seeking accelerated consideration to pass the legislation in one day, ahead of the lifting of the federal consumer carbon tax on Tuesday, as the province seeks to follow suit.
Opposition finance critic Peter Milobar says the legislative process is “ham-fisted” and unfairly cuts off discussion, while the Green Leader Jeremy Valeriote says the party can’t support passing the bill in a single day.
Eby has said the province would continue to ensure big industrial emitters pay through the carbon-pricing system.
Eby, Energy Minister Adrian Dix, and Finance Minister Brenda Bailey are set to hold a press conference related to the carbon tax this afternoon.
The legislative break also included a significant rollback of the government’s proposed response to U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods.
Monday’s sitting is the first since Eby announced the removal of a portion of the controversial tariff response bill that would have given his cabinet sweeping powers to address challenges “arising from the actions of a foreign jurisdiction” without them being debated in the legislature.
Eby said last week that the bill was still needed but required more safeguards after stakeholders raised concerns about overreach, while the Opposition B.C. Conservatives have said the whole thing needs to be scrapped.
U.S. President Donald Trump has said he will be bringing new “reciprocal” tariffs against Canada starting April 2, while Prime Minister Mark Carney has responded that Canada would implement new retaliatory tariffs if the president goes ahead.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 31, 2025.
Brenna Owen, The Canadian Press
Discover more from World Byte News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.