VICTORIA — Tomorrow is Canada Day, and what could be more Canadian than paying more taxes?

You don’t have to ask B.C. truckers, who will see the much reviled provincial carbon tax rise from 2.69 cents a liter to 4.04 cents a liter on diesel fuel on July 1 — an increase of about $20 million for the trucking industry.

The carbon tax is intended to rise annually until 2012, when it will reach a whopping 8.07 cents a liter on top of the provincial sales taxes and federal excise taxes that already exist.

The B.C. Trucking Association, which is urging members to explain the increase to shippers and customers, has been lobbying for a freeze on the carbon tax, at least until the regional economy recovers.

BCTA argues that carbon tax dollars could more usefully be applied to investing in fuel efficient technology that might help small fleets reduce emissions and fuel usage and save enough money to stay profitable.

But so far, though, the government has been resistant to the trucking group’s suggestion.