Gas tax a bad idea, MLA Macdonald says

By CAROLYN GRANT
Kimberley Daily Bulletin

June 23rd, 2008

While it seems as if every few days the price gas goes up further, the provincial government will be adding to the pain at the pump next week when the 2.7 cents per litre gas tax is added on July 1, 2008.

Columbia River – Revelstoke MLA Norm Macdonald is of the opinion that, while a real plan for climate change is needed, the gas tax is hardly a solution.

“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,” Macdonald said.  “By the government’s own numbers, the best case scenario is that this gas tax will result in a 2.8 per cent cut in emissions by 2020.

“They haven’t dealt with the industrial aspect of greenhouse gases at all.  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 percent of greenhouse gas emissions.”

Macdonald also doesn’t see much sense in collecting the gas tax and then redistributing back to consumers in the form of tax breaks, which is what the government plans for the tax.

“The explanation given to us is that the tax goes to us general revenue and then is redistributed in tax breaks.  But who are the tax breaks going to?  I think most people would say, I’m not going to be revenue neural on this.  The $100 they are giving to all British Columbians is one fill up for a pickup truck.  It’s not going to be revenue neutral for rural people.  I suspect they’ve miscalculated. 

“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.

“For many of us, it will push gas to over $1.50 a litre.  And it’s not just gas, it’s heating costs.  And at the same time electricity rates are going up.  For nine out of 10 people wages are not going up.  And why right now?  The timing is terrible on top of already rising prices.”

Macdonald also says that it sends the signal to the oil companies who are already making record profits that BC is okay with high gas prices.

It’s just another indication that the Premier is completely out of touch with ordinary working people, he said.

“This is one case where local politics are much better.  When Mayor Ogilvie makes a decision, he walks around town and he has to back up his decision in the grocery store, on the street.  Premier Campbell makes decisions like closing hospitals and he avoids facing the people most affected by them.  Avoiding accountability leads to sloppy government and arrogance.

“Premier Campbell doesn’t talk to people.  He moves in very select circles.  He’s not going to change the gas tax.  He says we all have to do our part.  What’s he doing?”