It鈥檚 rare that a political party can appeal to both Islanders and residents of the Lower Mainland with a single policy proposal, but the B.C. Conservatives have tried it. The party announced this week that in the unlikely event that voters carry it from no seats to a majority, ferry and bridge users will get a tax break.
It鈥檚 smart as strategy, but it won鈥檛 go anywhere.
Islanders always gripe about the cost of B.C. Ferries fares and about the billions of dollars lavished on residents of the Lower Mainland. Over on the other side of the strait, mainlanders gripe about the tolls they pay on their new bridges and about the way Islanders always gripe about something.
Conservative leader John Cummins promised on Monday that if his party is elected, he will introduce a Bridge Tolls and Ferry Fares Tax Credit, modelled on the federal Public Transit Tax Credit. The federal plan gives tax credits to people who use public transit. Cummins鈥檚 proposal would allow ferry riders and bridge users to save their receipts and get a credit on the B.C. part of their income tax of as much as $408.
鈥淭hose who travel frequently across the Port Mann and Golden Ears bridges, or ride often on B.C. Ferries, have to pay exorbitant and unfair charges as they go to and from work, to medical appointments, or engage in commerce,鈥� he said. 鈥淭heir quality of life is harmed by these costly tolls and ever-rising fares.鈥�
Cummins said the credit would not only give taxpayers a break, but also increase the use of bridges and ferries, helping their bottom lines. After the federal program began, transit ridership rose 2.9 per cent annually between 2006 and 2010, compared to 1.9 per cent increases in 2001 to 2005, he said.
The tax break would cost the B.C. treasury $45 million a year, Cummins said.
Premier Christy Clark immediately poured cold water on the plan, saying it鈥檚 unaffordable.
For the gripers on both sides of the water, anything that recoups some of those hated fares and tolls is tempting, but it鈥檚 a blatant bid for votes in the most populous parts of the province, and voters should give it the brush-off.
The users have to bear a significant chunk of the load, not only because they get the benefit of the bridge or the boat, but because it makes them think about how much they need to take a particular trip. If fees persuade a few people to leave their cars at home, that鈥檚 good.
From the Island, it鈥檚 clear that the 91原创 suburbanites who use the Port Mann and Golden Ears bridges should pay a slice of the billions it took to build them. Why should we and the people in Prince George subsidize the commutes of the folks in Surrey, Langley and points east?
From the Mainland, the view of ferry fares is similar. The people in Surrey find common cause with those in Prince George who think anyone who lives on the Island should be willing to pay the premium that comes in the form of ferry fares. They are unmoved by the argument that ferries should be part of the highway system.
All British Columbians might agree on one benefit of the tax break. It would be available only to residents, so tourists would have to pay full fare to ride the ferries or cross the bridges, just like the carbon tax, where the revenue-neutral aspects apply only to British Columbia taxpayers.
However, tempting as it might be, the Conservative plan is the wrong way to go. Taxpayers already subsidize too much. We don鈥檛 need to add to the bill.
