LANGLEY, B.C. – The B.C. Trucking Association (BCTA) adamantly opposes the latest 3.5 cent per litre fuel tax imposed by the province, and it is letting the B.C. Liberals know exactly how it feels.

The association recently fired off a strongly-worded letter to the provincial government, which points out the province has neglected to consider the $350 million road users already dole out in annual vehicle licensing fees and the $40 million per year collected in tolls on the Coquihalla.

When that’s considered, the BCTA points out road users are paying more than the province’s total expenditures, by a sum of more than $200 million per year before the additional fuel tax increase, which alone is expected to bring in an additional $650 million over the next three years. In fact, the latest fuel tax hike makes the Lower Mainland of B.C. among the highest taxed regions on fuel in the country.

In the letter, the BCTA asks that the fuel tax increase is scrapped – at least until the province is spending all road user taxes on highways and bridges within the province. A recent study completed by BCTA members indicates fuel prices are being offset by carriers through increased rates or the implementation of fuel surcharges. In fact, the survey indicated most shippers are now paying fuel surcharges.