CTF accuses BC NDP of 'dishonest budgeting' for forecasting carbon tax revenue while promising to axe tax

VICTORIA — The Canadian Taxpayers Federation has accused the BC NDP of "dishonest budgeting" after it was revealed that the budget continues to forecast carbon tax revenue.

Premier David Eby has vowed to axe the tax as soon as the federal government gives the green light.

"Sky-high spending by this government is fueling tax hikes and massive borrowing," CTF BC director Carson Binda said. "While your family is going to be slammed with a carbon tax hike on April 1, Premier David Eby is padding his premier's office budget by more than a million dollars this year."

Budget 2025 showed revenue from the carbon tax extending through until 2028 and beyond.

"Everyone who has a chance of being our next prime minister, from Mark Carney and Chrystia Freeland to Pierre Poilievre, has already committed to scrapping the carbon tax," Binda added. "Forecasting carbon tax hikes moving forward, despite commitments to cancel the tax is dishonest budgeting, which Eby needs to explain."

He also took aim at the provincial debt, which is forecasted increase in 2025-26 by over $23.6 billion, pointing out that this also comes with higher interest costs.

Over the last year alone, debt interest has cost British Columbian taxpayers $4.3 billion, or roughly $800 for every man, woman, and child. That's enough to build 150 new schools with space for 98,000 students, or hire 75,000 new teachers.

"This budget lays out plans for the province to more than double the provincial debt from when Eby took office," Binda lamented. "Eby needs to cut up the taxpayer credit card, end his inflationary debt binge and get the province's fiscal house in order."