BC United denounces NDP’s unfair shopping bag tax

VICTORIA (July 15, 2024) – BC United is denouncing the NDP’s latest punitive tax as David Eby’s new bag tax goes into effect today, forcing businesses to punish consumers in the midst of an affordability crisis by charging a mandatory $2.00 for reusable shopping bags and $0.25 for paper shopping bags, a move that will hit hard-working families and increase the cost of living.

“At a time when the majority of British Columbians are struggling to make ends meet, punishing consumers with an unfair bag tax that fails to address real environmental concerns is yet another out-of-touch policy from the NDP that is making life even more unaffordable for working people,” said Peter Milobar, BC United Shadow Minister of Finance. “British Columbians are waiting for a government that will tackle both the affordability crisis and climate change. This ridiculous bag tax shows that David Eby and the NDP are not taking either issue seriously.”

The Retail Council estimates that this new bag tax could cost BC families an additional $20 to $40 per week, with the majority of British Columbians $200 or less away from paying their monthly bills. BC United Leader Kevin Falcon has pledged to aggressively address the affordability crisis and scrap the NDP’s “CostBC” agenda and replace it with real, effective environmental policies that focus on practical solutions and real environmental outcomes.