
B.C. Opposition leader wants to hit U.S. with 'carbon tax' on coal shipments
Social Sharing
British Columbia Opposition Leader John Rustad has found a carbon tax he likes, proposing such a levy on U.S. thermal coal shipped out of provincial ports as a way to pressure the White House not to impose fresh tariffs on Canadian softwood lumber.
Rustad said the tax on U.S. coal could be a "tool to fight back" on softwood tariffs and duties proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump, who has also proposed tariffs on all Canadian exports.
"We need to be able to create the environment to have a deal with the Americans. We can't carry on like this on softwood lumber," Rustad said on Monday.
Rustad was ejected from the former BC Liberal party in 2022 after questioning the role of carbon dioxide emissions on climate change and has long been a critic of B.C.'s own carbon tax.
On tariffs, he and the B.C. Conservatives had previously said B.C. should avoid retaliating and instead focus on growing B.C.'s economy.
Duriing question period in the B.C. legislature, Premier David Eby complimented the B.C. Conservative leader for seeking ways to retaliate against the tariff threat, calling it a "significant departure."
But Eby said taxing U.S. coal travelling through B.C. ports on its way to other export markets would pose major challenges.
"It's an export good that goes through a federally regulated port, and we can't place export taxes on products like that," Eby said.
Idea of taxing coal previously proposed
The idea of taxing thermal coal shipments in response to U.S. tariffs has been floated before in B.C.
In 2017, then-premier Christy Clark proposed a levy adding about $70 per tonne of coal exported through B.C. ports in response to skyrocketing tariffs on softwood lumber exports on B.C.
Clark's overall response to the softwood lumber dispute was deemed reckless and irresponsible by then-NDP leader John Horgan.
Softwood lumber has been a flash point between Canada and the United States for decades.
The United States has applied anti-dumping and countervailing duties on softwood products, while Canada has taken its arguments to the World Trade Organization and challenged the duties under both NAFTA and the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement.
Last week, Forests Minister Ravi Parmar said combined U.S. duties and tariffs on Canadian softwood lumber could increase to more than 50 per cent.
WATCH | Ravi Parmar pushes back against softwood lumber tariffs:
B.C.'s forests minister pushes back against Trump tariff threats in California
10 days ago
Duration 2:11
B.C. Forests Minister Ravi Parmar was in California this week on a trade mission, making the case against tariffs, which would be layered on top of existing softwood lumber duties and could be devastating for B.C.'s already struggling forestry sector. As Katie DeRosa reports, officials in California say Canadian lumber will be key to their wildfire-rebuilding efforts
Rustad distinguished between retaliating against the Americans with tariffs and applying a "graduated carbon tax" that would be increased until B.C. got a softwood lumber deal.
He said 18 million tonnes of U.S. thermal coal was shipped through Vancouver, but the province doesn't use it.
"Until such time as the unfair and unwarranted American duties on our softwood are removed, we need to be ready to hit the Americans where it hurts," Rustad said in a statement.
Meanwhile, the governing NDP called for unanimous endorsement for a motion condemning Trump and backing the national plan for "strategically targeted retaliatory action."
The motion was passed — but not unanimously — in voting late Monday.
Five no votes all came from B.C. Conservative members: Kelowna-Lake Country-Coldstream's Tara Armstrong, Vancouver-Quilchena's Dallas Brodie, Surrey South's Brent Chapman, Peace River North's Jordan Kealy and Chilliwack North's Heather Maahs.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Edmonton Journal
3 minutes ago
- Edmonton Journal
Is JD Vance about to deport a Canadian-born fashion writer who is an undocumented U.S. immigrant?
Article content An American-based Canadian men's fashion writer who shared his story of being an undocumented immigrant in the U.S. put himself in the crosshairs of conservative critics questioning his legal status to remain in the country, including perhaps U.S. Vice-President JD Vance. In response to the heated L.A. protests over Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions in the city, Derek Guy, who works out of San Francisco, made a candid post on X detailing his experiences.

30 minutes ago
The man behind 50 years of ferrying West Coast Trail hikers
Headlines Latest News Podcasts (new window) the West Coast Trail legend who's celebrating his 50th season ferrying hikers across the Nitinat Narrows. Photo: CBC Meet Carl Edgar – the West Coast Trail legend who's celebrating his 50th season ferrying hikers across the Nitinat Narrows. Not only does he ferry hikers, he and his family run the famous Nitinat Crabshack, serving up seafood for hungry hikers for many years. Début du widget Widget. Passer le widget ? Fin du widget Widget. Retourner au début du widget ? CBC News Beginning of list of 13 items. Skip list? The man behind 50 years of ferrying West Coast Trail hikers Robert Miller, billionaire accused of sex crimes, unfit to stand trial, judge rules Canada, allies sanctioning 2 Israeli ministers over Gaza comments F-35 program facing skyrocketing costs, pilot shortage and infrastructure deficit: AG report Fewer Americans are visiting Canada. Ad campaigns assure them they're welcome here This Palestinian boy lost his eye to an unexploded bomb. Thousands of tonnes of explosives may remain in Gaza She came to Canada for university, but she'd never been accepted. The scam cost her $7K Dentists praise Canadian Dental Care program, but also express concern over influx of new patients Saudi Arabia's Mohammed bin Salman invited to G7 summit in Alberta: sources They fled their home countries to report from the safety of the U.S. Now, they fear they're in danger Defence targets E.M.'s credibility, judge questions 'consent videos' shown at world juniors sex assault trial As new U.S. travel ban arrives, some Canadian dual nationals are worried Quebec floats cutting services for non-permanent residents End of list of 13 items. Back to beginning of list? 81-year-old has late-stage Parkinson's disease. 1 hour ago Courts and Crime Several countries freeze assets, impose travel bans on Ben-Gvir and Smotrich. AG Karen Hogan's report also says contracts awarded to GCStrategies didn't deliver value for money. Quebec TV ad features a local hotel clerk warmly hugging an American tourist. Unexploded ordnances pose a significant risk for kids in Gaza.


Cision Canada
43 minutes ago
- Cision Canada
Leadership Experience 2025: Starbucks Rallies 14,000 North America Coffeehouse Leaders to Accelerate its 'Back to Starbucks' Strategy
TORONTO, June 10, 2025 /CNW/ - This week, Starbucks is hosting over 14,000 coffeehouse leaders from across North America at Leadership Experience 2025 (LE25) in Las Vegas—its largest leadership gathering ever and the first under chairman and CEO Brian Niccol and COO Mike Grams. "Getting 'Back to Starbucks' means refocusing on what has always set us apart — a welcoming coffeehouse where people gather, and where we serve the finest coffee, handcrafted by our skilled baristas," said Niccol. "We are bringing together our coffeehouse leaders from across North America to celebrate, empower and equip them to accelerate our transformation. The coffeehouse experience defines the Starbucks brand, and these leaders and their teams bring that experience to life for millions of customers every day." A New Era of Leadership and Customer Experience LE25 is an important milestone for Starbucks. Over three days, coffeehouse leaders will engage in immersive workshops, connect over new ways of working, hear directly from company leaders, and experience the first-ever Starbucks Global Barista Championship, celebrating craft, connection, excellence at its best. The event will accelerate Starbucks turnaround—centered on exceptional service, simplified routines, and deeper customer connections. Leaders will explore new innovations, clearer customer service standards, and a renewed focus on hospitality, including a goal of four-minute wait times – without compromising the warmth and connection that define the Starbucks Experience. "This isn't just a reset—it's a recommitment to who we are when we are at our best," said Grams. "LE25 is our moment to recommit to a culture of hospitality and excellence. We're making progress, have real momentum with our "Back to Starbucks" plan and are on the right track to turn the business around." Since launching its Back to Starbucks strategy nine months ago, customers are already feeling the difference, with welcoming spaces, more confident baristas, faster service, and the return of small but meaningful touches like ceramic mugs, handwritten notes on cups, a more consistent dress code, and a much-loved customer favourite: the condiment bar. "Our turnaround is rooted in listening—to partners and customers—and taking action on what we hear," added Grams. "We're listening and testing in the coffeehouse, and then applying our learnings to scale quickly and enhance the customer and partner experience." Leading with Partners, Winning with Customers Starbucks continues to be a leader in partner (employee) care, offering competitive pay and industry-leading benefits such as a recently launched paid parental leave top-up benefit for all eligible Canadian store partners, equity in the form of stock, $5,000 in mental health benefits for eligible partners and more. Additionally, as part of its focus on making Starbucks the best job in retail, the company has established a goal to hire 90% of retail leaders from within, fostering a culture of growth and opportunity. "We believe a great partner experience fuels the customer experience," said Grams. "We always have more work to do, but our partners are rallying behind Back to Starbucks and telling us they like what they see. When our partners feel supported, our customers notice the difference too." Coffee and Craft Take Center Stage LE25 kicks off today with Starbucks largest-ever coffee tasting, featuring a first taste of the new Starbucks 1971 Roast™, available in the U.S. and Canada this Winter. The company is also celebrating the impact of its investment in the Global Farmer Fund, supporting long-term sustainability across Origin communities. LE25 will also spotlight the first-ever Starbucks Global Barista Championship— a celebration of Starbucks baristas who embody the company's commitment to community, connection and craft. Over the three-day competition, 12 baristas from around the world will showcase their coffee passion and expertise through a variety of skills and knowledge-based competitions. "We're returning to what made us iconic: handcrafted coffee, human connection, and a relentless focus on excellence," said Niccol. "We're reigniting the soul of Starbucks, together." Giving Back in Las Vegas This week, Starbucks is demonstrating how major events can be designed with sustainability and community in mind. LE25 is powered by 100% renewable electricity sourced within 500 miles of Las Vegas. Starbucks will donate any surplus food to its FoodShare partner Three Square Food Bank, divert food waste and coffee grounds from the event to local farms, and plant 10 trees per attendee to support reforestation efforts in South American coffee-growing communities. The Starbucks Foundation will invite attendees to vote for five local Las Vegas organizations to receive grants, with an estimated $100,000 to be donated to causes like hunger relief, homelessness, youth empowerment and more. The Starbucks Foundation is also donating a $10,000 Neighborhood Grant to each Barista Championship contestant's chosen nonprofit.