Final push for a carbon tax shift in BC's 2008 budget

We have an incredible opportunity, if we all act now, to gain an important tool in the fight against climate change in next year's BC budget. Your support is crucial to making it happen.




The province's Finance Minister, Carol Taylor, will likely decide before Christmas whether or not to proceed with a shift in taxes from income to emissions in the 2008 provincial budget. She has indicated in front of the media that the option of a carbon tax shift is on the table, and she needs to know that there is broad public support if she is to move forward. Please take the time today to send a message to Minister Taylor telling her that you want our province to take a leadership role on this issue. Here's what to do:




Go to our web site at www.vtacc.org and click on the link to our Carbon Tax Campaign; if you are on facebook, you can also go to our group BC Needs A Carbon Tax! at http://tinyurl.com/24o6yw




In both places you'll find all you need to know to quickly send off your message -- contact information, key points to make in your letter, a sample letter for inspiration, and background information if you want to learn more about a revenue-neutral shift of taxes from income to greenhouse gas emissions.




Together, our actions are moving the carbon tax initiative forward -- during its recent public consultations the finance committee received an unprecedented 500 submissions in support of a carbon tax. Since then, we have received hundreds of copies of letters sent into the Minister herself, and many people have shown support on facebook and at letter writing events. In a short time, citizen input in this province has shifted a tax on carbon emissions from a political non-starter to a clear possibility. However, we're not done yet.




Our time is short, and we are at a pivotal point in this process -- please take a moment now to help deliver an important Christmas present for BC, the planet and our children's future. When you are done, please spread the word among friends and colleagues. If enough of us throw their support behind the Minister, we can give her the courage to move forward on this.