New Democrat leader Carole James launched a campaign June 17 to axe the gas tax, calling on the Liberal government to recall the legislation to implement what the NDP is calling real climate change solutions.
"At a time when average families are struggling with record high gas prices, Gordon Campbell is hitting consumers with a gas tax that is unfair and won't work," said James in a news release. "New Democrats are joining British Columbians to fight back, visiting communities across B.C., to call on the Campbell government to axe the tax."
An online petition has also been created by the NDP at axethegastax.ca.
The campaign launch and petition comes on the heels of a climate action plan released June 13 by the NDP. The NDP plan contains seven action items to reduce emissions: tougher regulations for polluters; fair and effective emission pricing; real help to increase conservation and green energy production; transportation solutions; local planning, land use and resource management; creating a sustainable society and economy; and leadership and accountability.
Leadership and accountability are two examples that Powell River-Sunshine Coast NDP MLA Nicholas Simons said is lacking in the Liberal government's plans.
"The gas tax is one of those bills that was rammed through and created without debate from us or the population," said Simons. "It's the little guy again taking a hit, and I'm concerned we won't see the intended impact. A lot of people are saying that this gas tax won't work, and if it's a symbolic impact, why are the rural communities getting a harder hit? It just seems like it's adding insult to injury and this government has failed in contemplating the tax, and failed because they didn't talk with people."
James said the high gas prices are hurting important public services and municipalities and school boards will be forced to pass through the extra costs and cuts to services and programs.
"Gordon Campbell pushed through his gas tax without listening to British Columbians," added James. "And now with gas prices hitting record highs, he is refusing to recognize the added pressure it will put on the family budget. It's time for Gordon Campbell to listen to the concerns of ordinary people. It's time for Gordon Campbell to axe the tax."
But the Liberals are standing firm on the gas tax and their climate action plans.
In a phone interview with Coast Reporter Tuesday afternoon, Environment Minister Barry Penner said the NDP is being deceitful and delirious in their thinking and their plans.
"They're being deceitful because they released their plan on June 13 at 4 p.m. in the day when no media or the public knew about it, and it in fact calls for a carbon tax. They're delirious because they don't seem to know what they've put out," said Penner. "This is political opportunism at the expense of real action to fight climate change. I think young British Columbians will be outraged by the NDP's plans because they want to see real action on climate change to reduce the damage in the future."
This week, B.C. residents started to receive their $100 climate action dividend - a one-time payment for each person, including children. Penner said along with new personal and business tax cuts that come into effect July 1, the climate action dividend will help British Columbians choose their own paths to a lower-carbon lifestyle. The vast majority of the cheques are expected to arrive in the mail by Monday, June 30.
The initial distribution includes approximately 3.1 million dividend cheques, covering 3.9 million British Columbians.
This is based on individuals who filed a 2006 or 2007 income tax return by April 30 and their dependants. Cheques will continue to be distributed on a monthly basis as tax returns and applications filed after April 30 are processed.
"Our carbon tax is revenue neutral to help generate more jobs," said Penner. "Some NDP MLAs said government should keep the money to fund programs. We think individuals should get that money back and decide how they wish to spend it. I think most British Columbians will come out ahead financially once you factor in all the tax cuts. We've got a multi-faceted climate change plan and the NDP is singling out one point of it for political points.
"The bottom line is we're all in this together and we all need to be a part of the solution. No one is getting a free ride here. The NDP seems to think it's up to someone else to worry about climate change. We all played a role in getting to this point and it's up to all of us to make positive changes."
