Hydro, ferry rates increase in B.C. April 1; Critic says B.C. means “bring cash”

VANCOUVER – Critics of the B.C. government say there’ll be nothing funny about April Fool’s Day tomorrow when rising ferry and electricity rates take effect around the province.

BC Hydro, the province’s utility, is hiking rates by nine per cent as part of a 10-year plan that Energy Minister Bill Bennett says will help fund billions of dollars worth of infrastructure investments.

Vehicles and passengers using BC Ferries will also pay about four per cent more, an increase that takes effect one day after the company announced final service schedules for minor and northern routes.

Jordan Bateman of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation says to many out-of-province visitors B.C. now stands for bring cash.

He says the increases don’t appear to be very much when considered alone but when added to other hikes, like insurance, health premiums and property taxes, the fees take a toll on the middle class and those on fixed incomes.

The Opposition New Democrats say the Liberals are continuing their ongoing litany of fee and fare hikes and hidden taxes and making the province less affordable.