Legislature, municipalities to vote on carbon tax

BC’s carbon tax is not yet law, and attention will be focused on the
measure in the legislature and at the North Central Municipal AGM in the
next few days.  This is a key time to show support for this tax, and
to press the province to provide support for local governments and
agencies as they gear up to lower emission from their
operations.

Tomorrow is the start of the North Central Municipal Association AGM in
Prince George.  Several municipalities and regional districts have
put forward resolutions opposing  the carbon tax, arguing that it
creates an unfair burden on their citizens because of  greater
travel distances and colder climate. The resolutions range from requests
for elimination, deferral, or exemption from the tax for north/central
municipalities, to requests that the province simply consider and
mitigate the economic impact of the tax on the Interior.  You can
view the resolutions here:

http://tinyurl.com/4lydw9

We think that a review of the available evidence doesn’t support the
argument that the carbon tax is an unfair burden on the Interior, as
emission related costs likely average across the province (information on
the fairness of the tax is provided on our web site).  VTACC is
encouraging citizens living in municipalities and districts which have
passed resolutions opposing the tax to contact their local governments to
express their support for the measure.  Email links and background
information are located at

http://tinyurl.com/4loqy4
. A list of
local governments and regional districts which have presented resolutions
opposing the tax is found at the bottom of this email.

On the other hand, it is clear that local governments and public agencies
such as school boards and health authorities all over BC will face higher
costs because of the carbon tax — and will not receive the corresponding
tax cuts delivered to individuals and small businesses.   While
we don’t think Victoria shouldn’t provide exemptions from the tax, we
think the province should use carbon tax revenue collected from local
governments and agencies to provide them with the resources needed to
lower emissions from their operations.  

Now is a key time to make this point to Victoria, because the tax will
soon be voted on in the legislature.  Individuals and institutions
all need the incentive to reduce emissions which this measure
provides.  However, our public institutions need help to make it
happen.   Key contacts on both sides of the aisle are provided
below.

Premier Gordon Campbell  premier@gov.bc.ca  
Finance Minister Carole Taylor carole.taylor.mla@leg.bc.ca 
Minister of Community Services ida.chong.mla@leg.bc.ca 

NDP leader Carole James
carole.james.mla@leg.bc.ca
,
NDP finance critic Bruce Ralson

bruce.ralston.mla@leg.bc.ca,
NDP Environment Critic Shane Simpson

shane.simpson.mla@leg.bc.ca

Thanks for giving this appeal your consideration.

Kevin Washbrook for
Voters Taking Action on Climate Change

Municipalities submitting resolutions to the NCMA AGM opposing the carbon
tax:
Fort St John, Quesnel, Smithers, Williams Lake

Regional Disricts:
Carbiou RD, RD Kitimat-Stikine, Northern Rockies RD (Ft
Nelson)