The BC Director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation is a fan of a private member’s bill showing the breakdown of various gas taxes at the pump.

But Kris Sims thinks Kamloops-North MLA Peter Milobar’s plan to make it mandatory for all gas stations to follow suit is a step too far.

Sims says that’s because they don’t like the idea of governments forcing businesses to change the way they run their operations.

“Since this information is so widely available, we would really just try to encourage people to do it voluntarily because anytime you are forced to do something, you are going to wind up wondering why you are being forced and people could get disgruntled,” she said.

Sims thinks having a breakdown of the various gas taxes at the pump will help educate drivers about where their money is going.

“They should know exactly how much money they are putting into their fuel tanks as far as taxes go,” she added. “In Kamloops, it’s around 40.2 cents per litre for gasoline and having that breakdown is important. But we would like them to stop short of forcing it. Nobody likes that.”

She says stickers showing a break down in gas taxes have come and gone in B.C., sometimes even put out by different gas companies on their own pumps.

Sims went on to say that Ontario’s new rules that could fine gas stations for not displaying a sticker showing how much carbon tax drivers are paying is a step too far, saying that is government once again forcing businesses to change the way they are operating.

 

That’s a great idea but it’s always best if it’s voluntary. We have the charts right here. Feel free to print it on a sticker and put them on your pumps. pic.twitter.com/heOwuOPtIv

— Kris Sims (@kris_sims) May 29, 2019