Carbon tax, increases to hydro, B.C. Ferries to kick in April 1

At a time when the cost of living remains top of mind for many British Columbians, some things are set to cost more on Monday. 

Here are some of the things British Columbians can expect to pay more for starting on April Fool's Day.

Carbon tax

An increase to the carbon tax is set to come into effect on April 1. The carbon price is scheduled to rise from $65 to $80 per tonne.

B.C. introduced North America's first broad-based carbon tax in 2008, and will administer the coming tax increase on behalf of the federal government.

Canadians living in the eight provinces with the federal carbon tax receive quarterly rebate payments, which vary depending on the province and the size of household.

WATCH | Poilievre talks of 'carbon tax election': 

'There will be a carbon tax election,' Poilievre tells supporters in B.C.

8 months ago

Duration 1:47

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre says, despite claims to the contrary from the Liberal government, most average Canadian families are paying more in carbon tax than what they receive in rebates.

B.C., Quebec and the Northwest Territories follow their own carbon-pricing mechanisms that meet federal standards and are exempt from the federal program. 

Opposition Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre recently sent a letter to B.C. Premier David Eby asking him to join seven other premiers in opposing the April 1 tax increase, saying the 23 per cent hike amounts to an extra 18 cents on a litre of fuel and people in B.C. and Canadians can't afford it.

Eby responded by saying B.C. would end up with less money returned to the province if it accepted Poilievre's request.

"I don't live in the Pierre Poilievre campaign office and baloney factory," said Eby. "I live in B.C., am the premier and decisions have consequences.

"The fact we face is that if we followed Mr. Poilievre's suggestion there would be less money returned to British Columbians after April 1 than there would be if the federal government administered this increase directly."

WATCH | Trudeau responds to carbon tax critics: 

PM fires back at carbon tax opponents amid protests and carbon price hike

8 months ago

Duration 5:20

As Canada's price on carbon rises, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says premiers opposed to the carbon tax are 'playing politics.' His remarks come as economists say the policy is the cheapest way to make an impact on emissions, with higher rebates expected as early as April for qualifying Canadians.

B.C. Hydro (but there is a credit)

B.C. Hydro rates will go up 2.3 per cent on April 1, following approval from the B.C. Utilities Commission.

Following the application back in October, B.C.'s Energy Ministry said it marked the sixth year in a row that the Crown utility has applied for an increase below the rate of inflation.

In February, the province announced the B.C. electricity affordability credit for eligible customers.

B.C. Hydro says the credit "will more than offset this increase." Customers don't need to apply for the credit, which will be applied automatically.

The credit amount will be automatically calculated based on a customer's electricity consumption over the past year, the Crown utility says, with the average residential customer seeing around $100 in savings. 

FortisBC, which provides power to some parts of the province, raised rates on Jan. 1. 

B.C. Ferries

Starting April 1, B.C. Ferries fare prices will increase by an average of 3.2 per cent each year for the next four years.

The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure announced in October that provincial funding pledged earlier in the year minimized the fare increase, which would have been approximately 9.2 per cent per year without the funding.

B.C. Ferries says customers will have more opportunities to book discounted fares with increased savings for those who carpool and book in advance, as well as foot passengers who book ahead.

Park board fees

Back in November, the Vancouver Park Board approved a number of fee increases for 2024 recommended by park board staff. 

Staff recommended an average increase of six per cent for most fees and charges. 

Most fees changed on Jan. 1 while some go into effect on April 1, including recreation rental permits for venues such as arenas, pools, sports fields, courts, and the Burrard Civic Marina.

Beer and alcohol

The federal government will cap the annual alcohol excise tax increase on beer, spirits and wine at two per cent for an additional two years.

The alcohol excise tax had been set to rise on April 1 by 4.7 per cent, tied to inflation, but Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland announced in March that the increase is being capped at the lower rate until 2026.

Other increases

People who use Vancouver's Mobi bike share service will see per-minute rates go from 25 cents to 29 cents for a standard bike and 35 cents to 39 cents a minute for an e-bike starting Tuesday.

Looking ahead, transit fares for TransLink users will go up about 2.3 per cent this summer. 

On July 1, single-zone fares will increase five cents, from $3.15 to $3.20. Two-zone fares will increase by 10 cents, to $4.65 and three-zone fares will go up 15 cents, up to $6.35. 

Day passes, discounted tickets and monthly passes will also see slight increases.