British Columbia Eliminates Consumer Carbon Tax as Legislation Passes

Gas prices expected to drop 17 cents per litre starting April 1, but concerns grow over budget shortfalls and climate program funding.

British Columbia's legislature passed a bill to eliminate the consumer carbon tax on March 31, 2025, effective April 1, following the federal government's decision to end its carbon tax backstop.
Gas prices in the province are expected to decrease by approximately 17 cents per litre, with measures in place to monitor potential price gouging by oil and gas companies.
The removal of the tax, introduced in 2008, creates a budget shortfall of $1.5 billion to $1.99 billion, prompting a review of the CleanBC climate action program.
Premier David Eby acknowledged the tax's past success in reducing emissions but noted it had become politically divisive and a source of public affordability concerns.
Opposition parties criticized the expedited legislative process, arguing it limited debate on the financial and environmental implications of the decision.