B.C. Tories offer tax credits to drivers who use ferries or toll bridges

VANCOUVER – People who use BC Ferries a lot or pay tolls on two major bridges in Metro Vancouver would get a tax break under a B.C. Conservative government.

Party leader John Cummins says those users would be able to claim an annual income-tax credit to reduce their provincial personal income taxes.

He says drivers using the Port Mann and Golden Ears bridges and those who frequently use the ferries have to pay what he calls exorbitant and unfair charges that no other British Columbians have to pay.

Cummins says people who spend at least $780 in one year on ferry fares or tolls would be able to claim an annual tax credit up to a maximum of $408.

He says that’s the equivalent of four round-trips between the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island or 68 trips over the Port Mann Bridge.

A Tory victory would make the tax credit available in 2014 and would cost the B.C. government $45 million, but it would not be available to commercial trucks until 2015.