British Columbia couriers, who need their cars and trucks for work, say the new carbon tax is unfair and will really take a toll on their business.
The new carbon tax will add 2.4 cents to a litre of gasoline on July 1, which has Hanne Madsen of DanFoss Couriers worried about the company's balance sheet.
He says the cost of fuel has already taken a bite of their profits in an industry that relies on gasoline.
"We can't take our drivers out of their vehicles and put them on the bus or Skytrain and have them doing pallet deliveries or deliveries of any kind," said Madsen said.
He says the company has no choice but to increase rates, something their clients will not like.
"I know there is no appetite from our customers to see increased rates and increased surcharges, but in order for us to remain viable -- that's the reality," Madsen said.
When filling up a 50-litre tank, drivers in the Lower Mainland already pay $10.25 in provincial tax, $5 in federal tax -- and these numbers do not include GST.
Kevin Washbrook from Voters Taking Action on Climate Change supports the tax.
He says people need certainty when at the pumps.
"They need to know that it's not going to be any cheaper to pollute in the future than it is now," he said, adding the tax will make sport utility vehicles (SUVs) less popular.
Many drivers are already changing their ways.
Car sales are down and many people have decided not to take long road trips this summer.
DanFoss Couriers is changing its habits too. Madsen says the company is reducing the speed drivers travel at and trying to avoid unnecessary idling.
With a report from CTV British Columbia's St. John Alexander
