Image: Alexis Osorio, used with permission / Demonstrators opposed to the increase in the carbon gas tax, and the entire carbon tax itself, gathered at the Hope Scale between Chilliwack and Hope Monday morning and afternoon (Apr. 1), waving flags and calling for an end to the carbon tax in a boisterous but peaceful gathering at the commercial weigh station under sunny skies and spring-like temperatures.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Carbon tax

Demonstrators gather for Monday’s anti-carbon tax protest between Chilliwack and Hope; RCMP say no arrests made

Apr 1, 2024 | 9:37 PM

HOPE — Demonstrators opposed to the increase in the carbon gas tax, and the entire carbon tax itself, gathered at the Hope Scale between Chilliwack and Hope Monday morning and afternoon (Apr. 1), waving flags and calling for an end to the carbon tax in a boisterous but peaceful gathering at the commercial weigh station under sunny skies and spring-like temperatures.

According to video footage provided by Alexis Osorio, and provided with permission to Fraser Valley Today, demonstrators converged on the Hope Scale west of exit 160 to denounce not only the increase in the carbon tax, but also the concept of a carbon tax. Some flags contained messages directed at Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Some demonstrators stood behind the concrete barrier along Highway 1 while others stood in the shoulder lane of the eastbound highway with flags as motorists honked horns.

Organizers had urged British Columbians to demonstrate in solidarity and assemble at various points throughout the province to “peacefully protest the carbon tax,” according to a Facebook group called “Nationwide Protest Against the Carbon Tax – British Columbia.”

“We are reaching out to truckers, farmers, business owners, and individuals who feel the weight of these changes,” the Facebook group said in reference to the increase in the carbon tax on gasoline, which now stands at 18 cents a litre in B.C. “Your participation is crucial in making our collective voices heard. Stand with us, as we strive for a change that benefits all Canadians.”

Image: Alexis Osorio, used with permission / Another angle of the demonstrators who expressed opposition to the carbon tax on Monday, April 1 west of Hope.

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Upper Fraser Valley Regional Detachment Sergeant Mike Sargent told Fraser Valley Today in an email Monday afternoon at 2:37 p.m. that the demonstration at Hope Scale did not involve any arrests.

“So far the demonstration has been a peaceful one and as a result there have been no arrests made,” Sgt. Sargent said at 2:37 p.m. Monday. “There is a contingent of RCMP members from the Hope RCMP, BC Highway Patrol and Divisional support units in the area with a focus on ensuring the safety of the protestors and the public travelling through the area.”

One person on Facebook estimated there were approximately 16 police vehicles on Highway 1 between Chilliwack and Hope at one point. This estimate has not been independently verified by police, but video footage does show several RCMP cruisers traveling in the vicinity of the demonstration at Hope Scale.

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

The RCMP had been tipped off to the demonstration in order to limit any disruptions.

“We are in regular dialogue with the RCMP and will be working closely with them to minimize any inconvenience,” Emil Anderson said Thursday, March 28 in a statement posted on their Twitter and Facebook accounts. “The safety and interests of our community and its residents are our utmost priority.”

Emil Anderson predicted a peaceful gathering when it issued its public travel advisory on Thursday, Mar. 28. True to form, no arrests were made, and there were no protesters or demonstrators at the Hope Scales at 6:30 p.m. on the westbound side of the highway or the eastbound direction, meaning they had either returned to their homes, headed to supper, or spent the night somewhere else.

A Fraser Valley Today reporter ventured farther up to exit 168 (Flood Hope Road) Monday evening to see if any demonstrators had lingered in the Flying J or Ricky’s parking lots for the evening. No one was found there either after 6:30 p.m. Monday evening.

The eastbound entrance to Hope Scale was closed with orange pylons as of 6:30 p.m. Monday night.