Would you pay a special tax for wildlife?

[325]

Would you guys be agreeable to paying a special tax, similar to the USA, on firearms, ammunition, reloading supplies, fishing gear, etc IF the revenue went into its own account and was dedicated for spending on provincial fish and wildlife management? Additionally, let’s assume all revenue from hunting, angling and trapping licenses went into this account.

[dakoda62]

Probably not, only reason being I absolutely no faith that the funds would be used accordingly.

[325]

Keep in mind the USA has been doing this since 1937 with great success

[RugDoctor]

No need for new taxes, just do the right thing with the taxes we already pay.

[325]

No need for new taxes, just do the right thing with the taxes we already pay.

I agree we are already overtaxed. However, it’s very easy for the province to cut wildlife funding with the current model. A dedicated account would be independent of provincial budgets, and provide reliable funding for wildlife management. This has been the model in the USA.

[Grumpa Joe]

I already do every time I buy a license, tag or LEH. The government just needs to spend it on the area it is intended for rather than putting it into general revenue.

[Brew]

I would if they Guaranteed the government would keep their mitts off of it and that they also guaranteed to scientific wildlife management.
There is no reason that BC can’t be the Serengeti of North America once again. This province needs to be restored to what it was back in the glory days of hunting. There is no excuse that it can’t be that way once again. We need a model from some of the US states that are doing extremely well.

[Rob Chipman]

The trick is to recognize the nature of government and try to manage for that. They're not going to spend current taxes properly. The money you pay for tags and LEH isn't dedicated to anything. The idea is to create some sort of fund that is a voluntary/semi-voluntary tax that the government can't decide how to spend and can't divert.

It has worked in the US, but politicians (most notably the Clintons, from what I have heard) have tried to divert the funds to their own favourite projects. They would try to do that here as well. The idea of a dedicated fund is simple, and effective. The key ingredient, and the part that will be hard, is the nuts and bolts method of making it something government can't take control of.


One idea that occurs to me (might be very hard to get passed) is a tax credit for a donation to a standalone agency. Completely voluntary, but you get a tax credit that reduces your BC income tax if you give up to a certain amount to a specific agency. If government never touches the money they can't divert it.

Anyway, I'd pay the tax.

[ActionJackson017]

I already do every time I buy a license, tag or LEH. The government just needs to sped it on the area it is intended for rather than putting it into general revenue.

^^ This. I feel the exact same way. Another tax is not required. Proper allocation of what is already generated through licensing, LEH, etc. is what needs to be prioritized. That, and perhaps an increased mandate and larger C.O. role - give C.O.s a larger budget for their particular MUs to the benefit of wildlife management for example.

I guess what I'm saying is I'd rather see existing 'infrastructure / systems' used rather than creating something new.

[srupp]

I already do every time I buy a license, tag or LEH. The government just needs to sped it on the area it is intended for rather than putting it into general revenue.

Perfect reply..our family can't afford the proposed increases in taxes this year.
Steven