Final Push for a Carbon Tax Shift in Next Year’s Budget

We have an incredible opportunity, if we all act now, to gain an
important tool in the fight against climate change in next year’s BC
budget. Your support is crucial to making it happen.

The province’s Finance Minister, Carol Taylor, will likely decide
before Christmas whether or not to proceed with a shift in taxes from
income to emissions in the 2008 provincial budget. She has indicated in
front of the media that the option of a carbon tax shift is on the
table, and she needs to know that there is broad public support if she
is to move forward. Please take the time today to send a message to
Minister Taylor telling her that you want our province to take a
leadership role on this issue. Here’s what to do:

Go to our web site at www.vtacc.org and click on the link to our Carbon
Tax Campaign; if you are on facebook, you can also go to our group BC
Needs A Carbon Tax! at http://tinyurl.com/24o6yw

In both places you’ll find all you need to know to quickly send off
your message — contact information, key points to make in your letter,
a sample letter for inspiration, and background information if you want
to learn more about a revenue-neutral shift of taxes from income to
greenhouse gas emissions.

Together, our actions are moving the carbon tax initiative forward
— during its recent public consultations the finance committee
received an unprecedented 500 submissions in support of a carbon tax.
Since then, we have received hundreds of copies of letters sent into
the Minister herself, and many people have shown support on facebook
and at letter writing events. In a short time, citizen input in this
province has shifted a tax on carbon emissions from a political
non-starter to a clear possibility. However, we’re not done yet.

Our time is short, and we are at a pivotal point in this process —
please take a moment now to help deliver an important Christmas present
for BC, the planet and our children’s future. When you are done, please
spread the word among friends and colleagues. If enough of us throw
their support behind the Minister, we can give her the courage to move
forward on this.