Local politicians raise concerns over province “taking advantage of the north”

The provincial government says this $200 grant was introduced alongside the provincial carbon tax to help offset costs for northern and rural communities, but now that the carbon tax has ended, the grant will end alongside it. It’s scheduled to end in 2027, but Clare argues the grant is still needed to help offset continually rising costs.

“The problem for a lot of northern residents is that the high costs remain, despite getting rid of the carbon tax. We’ve got high pressures for transportation costs, high pressures for groceries, homes, just about everything up here costs a bit more,” Clare said.

“It would be a rounding error for them, but for individuals here in Prince George and in the north, this is substantial,” Frizzell added.

Frizzell calls it a “really frustrating” situation, and he is calling on the provincial government to reconsider cutting this benefit, as Frizzell says losing this $200 grant goes beyond just the hit to your wallet.

“This has been something that has helped us as we do things like ‘Move up Prince George,’ as we talk about the benefits of living in the north as we try to attract doctors and highly qualified professionals,” he said.

“It’s really frustrating to hear that that would be a way to reduce our expenditures or to capture more taxes, because the impact on that for the small population, relative to the rest of the province, will be big on the population here, but it won’t make a big impact on their budget,” he added.

On the budget, Clare believes the government is looking in the wrong places to help balance the deficit, as he says that should come from supporting projects like natural gas pipelines and infrastructure building, rather than cutting benefits in the north.

“Government has to make choices, that’s for sure. But they seem to be making choices that are not really dealing with the problem of a high deficit and high debt,” Clare said.

As for Frizzell, he worries that cutting a benefit specifically for northern B.C. may be a sign of more problems to come.

“What’s next? Is it going to be that they take off Northern Living Allowances for the people above the 60th parallel? […] We are starting to explore what the impact is going to be next on seniors over the age of 65, you also get a discount. Are they going to take that away next?” Frizzell said.

He concluded his remarks by emphasizing he believes it “just doesn’t seem like a well thought out strategy.”

by Tommy Osborne

Local politicians raise concerns over province “taking advantage of the north”

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