April 1st marks the date residents of British Columbia will start paying more for both hydro and ferry tickets.
Hydro rates increase 9%, effective immediately. This amounts to an average annual increase of $8.01 per month for residences, said the B.C. government. By 2018-19, the average residence will be paying $25 more per month.
The provincial government announced the BC Hydro rate hike back in November 2013 as part of a 10-year increase plan. The plan will also see rates jump 6% next year, and then maximum increases of 4%, 3.5% and 3% in the remaining years of the plan.
BC Ferries also chose this date to introduce fare hikes. Foot passengers from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay will pay $16.25 – an increase of $0.75 – while the cost per vehicle has increased by $2 to $53.25.
Jordan Bateman of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation said that these increases, along with ICBC rate hikes, are taking their toll on British Columbians.
“If taxpayers feel they are falling further behind financially, it’s because they are,” he said.
“This April Fools’ Day, the joke is on the taxpayers – but no one will be laughing.
- With files from the Times Colonist
