Image: Google Maps / The off-ramp leading to Hope from eastbound Highway 1 is pictured in this Google Maps image. Emil Anderson Maintenance, the provincial contractor tasked with maintaining highway and bridge maintenance services in the Fraser Valley since 1996, has issued a travel advisory for the Hope area ahead of a possible anti-carbon tax protest scheduled for Monday, April 1.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Traffic advisory for Hope

Emil Anderson issues travel advisory for Hope ahead of possible anti-carbon tax protest Monday

Mar 28, 2024 | 4:34 PM

HOPE — Emil Anderson Maintenance, the provincial contractor tasked with providing highway and bridge maintenance services in the Fraser Valley since 1996, has issued a travel advisory for the Hope area ahead of a possible anti-carbon tax protest scheduled for Monday, April 1.

According to a memo posted on its Facebook and Twitter pages, Emil Anderson Maintenance says it is alerting the public to possible traffic disruptions in and around Hope.

“The traffic disruptions may result from a public demonstration,” EAM wrote on its X/Twitter page Thursday, March 28 at 3:10 p.m. “The information we have about this event is thin and vague, but we are anticipating impacts on traffic along the Highway 1, 3 and 5 corridor in Hope, starting in the morning around 09:00h. It is unclear where exactly potential impacts on traffic will materialize, and how long the disruptions will last.”

Rumblings and poster imagery about a protest in Hope appear on Facebook, but it’s not known if their plans will come to fruition until Monday morning. Some people are vehemently opposing online the planned carbon tax increase set to occur on Monday, April 1 in which the carbon tax on gas will increase a reported 23 per cent. The latest tax hike slated for April 1 will increase the carbon tax to almost 18 cents a litre, on top of the provincial motor fuel tax of 14.5 cents a litre.

EAM says it wants to ensure motorists traveling over the Easter weekend have ample notice regarding this possible demonstration in order to limit associated inconveniences and facilitate smoother travel preparations.

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“We trust that any public gatherings will be carried out peacefully, as is usually the case,” EAM wrote in its advisory bulletin, adding that it will keep the public apprised of any developments.

EAM says it has notified the Royal Canadian Mounted Police about any possible traffic disruptions.

“We are in regular dialogue with the RCMP and will be working closely with them to minimize any inconvenience,” EAM said. “The safety and interests of our community and its residents are our utmost priority.”

In the meantime, EAM recommends that motorists plan an alternate route or allow for additional travel time for any potential delays as a precautionary measure.