Norm Macdonald MLA                                Columbia River – Revelstoke

MEDIA RELEASE

For immediate release

June 19th, 2008

Campbell climate change plan a failure; ineffective gas tax just hurts rural residents

Columbia River – Revelstoke MLA Norm Macdonald says that British Columbia needs a real plan for climate change.  The focus of the Campbell climate change plan is a gas tax that even Premier Campbell has admitted will barely make a dent on greenhouse gas emissions.

“On July 1st, the Campbell gas tax will come into effect, and rural British Columbians will pay the highest price,” declared Macdonald.  “By the government’s own numbers, the best case scenario is that this gas tax will result in a 2.8% cut in emissions by 2020.

“British Columbians want a real solution to climate change.  British Columbians fully understand that there will be costs associated with solving climate change, but they want the amount they pay to actually result in a solution.”

Common sense indicates that if we are to be successful in fighting climate change the focus must be on big polluters and introducing better options for consumers.  Campbell’s plan lets big polluters off the hook by exempting 30 to 40% of greenhouse gas emissions.

“Rural residents have little choice in whether or not they drive their vehicles; we have very few other options for transit.  A truly effective carbon tax would act as an incentive to change behaviour but in rural areas we have no choice.”

The Opposition has put out a climate action plan that involves taking bold action on climate change using an approach that is fair, effective and transparent.  For more information on the Opposition’s Framework for Real Climate Action, go to http://www.bcndpcaucus.ca/files/Framework%20-%20long.pdf.