Wednesday September 25, 2024 | VICTORIA, BC
BC ELECTION CAMPAIGN DAY 5 of 28
Political feature interview by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
Your 28-day voter’s guide for BC Election 2024
The BC Greens would increase the carbon rebate cheque to income-tested BC residents.
That would be part of proposed carbon tax legislation or changes that would be put forward by the BC Greens once the Legislative Assembly is back in action after the October 19, 2024 provincial election.
Low and middle income British Columbians already receive a rebate every quarter, issued via the Canada Revenue Agency (currently combined with the federal carbon tax rebate, also called the ‘grocery rebate’ in some years).
“We promise that as the government collects more money from polluters through the carbon tax, British Columbians will see more money in their rebate cheque. This way, the system stays fair, and people are not left paying more than they should,” said the BC Greens in a statement today.
This is Day 5 of the 28-day BC provincial election campaign. BC Green Party Leader Furstenau will participate in a live televised party leaders debate on October 8 (6:30 to 8 pm).
Carbon tax promises:
Here is the full list of BC Green carbon tax promises:
- We will increase the carbon rebate cheque. We promise that as the government collects more money from polluters through the carbon tax, British Columbians will see more money in their rebate cheque. This way, the system stays fair, and people are not left paying more than they should.
- We will make sure that polluters pay. People are frustrated that they’re footing the bill while the oil and gas industry gets off easy. The more industries pollute, the more they pay, which helps keep the burden off everyday families.
- Structured increases, no surprises. We will increase the price of carbon by $15 per year, moving from $80 per tonne in 2024 to $110 per tonne in 2026. But unlike before, this won’t be a burden on your household budget because the increased revenue will be returned to you.
- We will invest directly in communities. The money collected from industries will go directly into funding climate action projects in local communities, helping to make our province more resilient and sustainable.
- We will eliminate loopholes and end the use of compliance mechanisms and carbon offsets that let industry continue to pollute without paying the full cost. These loopholes, criticized by the Auditor-General as a form of greenwashing, will be closed to ensure a truly fair system.
Furstenau noted that last week at the Union of BC Municipalities convention last week, that municipal leaders have asked that a portion of the carbon tax revenue go to municipalities where a lot of the climate action infrastructure is needed.
People worry:
“We know that people worry that the money from the carbon tax isn’t always used in a way that helps them directly,” says BC Green Party Leader Furstenau.
“If you don’t see the benefits, like getting a cheque in the mail or seeing improvements in your community, it can feel like you’re paying extra for nothing,” said Furstenau today.
“The BC Greens are committed to making sure that doesn’t happen. We want to make sure you see real benefits, whether that’s through a bigger rebate cheque or by investing in projects that make your community better and more sustainable,” she said.
Increasing the carbon tax:
The BC Greens would increase the BC carbon tax by $15 per year, from $80 per tonne in 2024 to $110 per tonne in 2026.
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- NEWS SECTIONS: BC GREENS | BC PROVINCIAL ELECTION 2024 | POLITICS | LIVING WITH CLIMATE CHANGE
- CAMPAIGN ITINERARIES & FEATURE ARTICLES: Your 28-day voter’s guide for BC Election 2024