We appear to be at opposite ends on this; however that does allow us to have a frank and meaningful dialogue and discussion. That is as it should be

Just the other day I received an email from an individual with concerns for the environment, and dismayed by the BC Liberal governments decision to freeze the amount of the Carbon Tax for the next 5 years (should they be re-elected).

As many of you well know, the BC Conservative Party has long been opposed to the Carbon Tax, and it's non-identical twin the Pacific Carbon Trust.

Neither in my option, have done anything to protect the environment, or reduce our carbon footprint.  They have however, been a huge drain to the pockets of residents of BC -- especially those living in the interior and the north.  They have also pulled millions of dollars from the budgets of schools and hospitals -- money that would have been better spent in the classroom, or providing direct medical services.

I'd like to share the conversation I had, and encourage and invite you to let me know your thoughts:


Dear Peter Sharp, 

Backing off on the carbon tax and freezing it at current levels for 5 years does not demonstrate a meaningful commitment to meet our provincial Climate Action targets. 

On May 14, I will be voting for a candidate who shows strong leadership on climate change by committing to expand and increase the carbon tax. The resulting new revenue could be used to reduce emissions, create jobs, and diversify our economy. 

For more information on the three-point plan that makes sense to me, please visit http://www.betterfuturebc.ca . 

Please consider discussing this with your party’s leadership. 

Thank you!

Sincerely,
Gisela R



Good evening Gisela ... 

With all due respect, the carbon tax has always been nothing more than a TAX, false wrapped in phony mislabeled environmentally friendly re-cycled gift wrap. This was a TAX grab plain and simple, it has done little if anything to reduce our carbon footprint (which they said it was going to do), and it has unfairly penalized hundreds of thousands of people because of where they live.

Those with little or poor access to transit pay extra on gas and diesel to get to work ... those outside the lower mainland pay more to heat their homes because of the added carbon tax on gas and oil heating products ... and again those outside the lower mainland pay more for the goods they purchase for their families (groceries, clothing, furniture, etc) because of the increased shopping costs with the added burden of the carbon tax.

Economists and environmentalists alike have said it is little more than a sham and a scam.

You have my pledge to do everything I can to ensure we do our utmost to preserve and protect our environment, however supporting the Carbon Tax will certainly NOT be one of them. 

Sincerely
Peter Sharp,
BC Conservative Party candidate
Kamloops South Thompson  



Thanks for your response.  Obviously, we disagree quite strongly on this.  I personally believe that driving up the price of carbon is one of the most effective tools to reducing carbon use.  People buy more fuel-efficient cars every time the price of gas goes up, and that’s exactly the kind of behaviour change we need if we are to reduce our GHG emissions.