A PRE-CANADA DAY (AND FUEL PRICE INCREASE) PLEA TO VICTORIA
OSOYOOS TIMES-June 18, 2008
Celebrating Canada's birthday this July 1 will bring a large headache to most British Columbians.
It won't be from hangovers or sunburns, but rather from having to face not one but two significant price increases.
And they both have to do with fuel.
Along with the much-publicized two-cent carbon tax jolt at the gas station taking effect, Terasen Gas' propane and natural gas rates also go up on Canada Day.
This will be the second time this year that the utility company has asked, and been allowed to, raise its prices by 11 per cent to offset increased usage due to a colder-than-usual winter and production problems.
The B.C. Utilities Commission, a provincial agency, is the body that authorizes such price increases.
Although British Columbians are left on their own to deal with the escalating costs of heating their homes this winter”anywhere between $142 and $164 more per year on heating bills”the province has been kind enough to offer all residents a $100 Climate Action Dividend which should be appearing in mailboxes in the next few weeks.
According to the ads, the dividend, along with a number of tax cuts, is intended to help people make climate friendly choices.
In reality, however, the cash is really just meant to sugarcoat the looming price surge at the pumps, which, coupled with the price of oil hovering around $140 US a barrel, makes using a gas-powered vehicle this summer a painful endeavor.
Many have argued that $100 is a laughable amount to dangle in front of people who are taking part in the first carbon tax experiment in this country.
That's neither here nor there, however, and it is a necessary evil to hit people in their wallets to bring home the reality that changes need to be made to deal with the climate change and fuel shortage problems were facing.
But as we look at higher automotive and heating fuel costs”which aren't going to go down any time soon, if ever”couldn't the provincial government, instead of handing out measly scraps of cash and mediocre tax cuts, start arming British Columbians with the tools to deal with these challenges?
Keep the c-note, which most people probably won't spend on anything green-related anyways, and provide better incentives for people to install more efficient heating systems or heat-trapping windows and insulation in their homes.
Do something to get people out of their cars, or into cars that are more fuel efficient, and work on promoting public transit beyond Victoria and Vancouver.
It might mean that our leaders will have to spend money for us to save money.
If so, please spend it in the right place.
