B.C. Trucking Association Opposes Proposed Tolling for U.S. Vehicles

The British Columbia (B.C.) government is seeking to pass legislation that would allow the implementation of tolls on U.S. commercial vehicles transporting goods to and from Alaska. This has sparked concern among members of the B.C. Trucking Association, who argue that the legislation would do more harm than good for the province's economy.

Concerns over the Impact of Tolling

The president of the B.C. Trucking Association, Dave Earle, has publicly voiced his opposition to the government's plans. He stresses that the free movement of goods across North America is vital to their business and that any barriers, fees, or taxes could have negative repercussions. Earle explained, "Anything that puts that at risk, be it a barrier, time, fee, tax, whatever ... that's always a very serious concern."

The B.C. government's proposal comes as part of the Economic Stabilization (Tariff Response) Act, which has been characterized as enabling legislation that grants the government authority to respond to various economic threats from the United States. The bill includes provisions allowing for tolls, fees, or charges on both road vehicles and ferries.

One of the key points made by Earle is the practicality of the tolling measure. He highlighted that fewer than 10,000 trucks travel through B.C. to Alaska each year, a significantly smaller number compared to the vast amount of goods moved through the U.S. from Mexico to Canada. This raises concerns about potential retaliation against Canadian trade practices from U.S. officials.

The Economic Context

Federal statistics support Earle's concerns, indicating that Mexico is Canada's third-largest trading partner, with exports worth over $2 billion annually in fruits and vegetables alone. Most of Alaska's trade, on the other hand, is primarily with China, with over 90 percent of goods coming into the state via boat. This suggests that any action taken by B.C. regarding tolls would be largely symbolic rather than economically impactful.

Furthermore, Premier David Eby admitted that targeting Alaska was partly motivated by the presence of a Republican governor and Congresswoman, who could potentially influence the views of the U.S. president. Eby clarified that the tolling provisions would only be enacted if there is a reasonable belief that the province is under threat from foreign government actions.

As Eby stated, "The current American administration is unpredictable. We, as a government, need to be ready to respond." However, he emphasized that there are no immediate plans to implement tolls.

Responses to the proposed legislation have been mixed, with some, like Opposition Leader John Rustad, criticizing it for lacking necessary oversight and clarity regarding which vehicles would be subject to tolls.

In summary, the B.C. Trucking Association is urging caution as the government considers tolling U.S. vehicles. They believe that such measures could prompt retaliation from the U.S. and fundamentally disrupt trade relationships vital to the province's economy.

trucking, tolls, economy