Tuesday, February 19, 2008

New Budget Includes Carbon Tax -- KISS FM News

The British Columbia government is easing taxpayers into a new carbon tax with a carrot-and-stick approach.

B.C. consumers will be the first in the country to pay higher gas and home-heating costs to help save the environment.

But they are also getting a hand from government to cushion the blow.

In July, a 10 dollar-per-tonne carbon tax will see gas prices rise by 2.4 cents a litre.

But in June, every British Columbian will get a 100-dollar Climate Action Dividend, in effect getting the benefit of a strong economy before the tax kicks in.

The new carbon tax, the first of its kind in Canada, will escalate over the next five years.

However, the B.C. government will set in law conditions that will see every dollar raised by that tax returned to taxpayers through personal and business tax reductions.

The government is also committing more than $1 billion to support climate action.

New measures include tax relief for conventional fuel efficient vehicles, sales tax exemptions for a variety of products including EnergyStar appliances and incentives to promote biodiesel production in B.C.

**************************************************

No comments:

Coldstream Ratepayers News! All Coldstream residents are ratepayers!

The opinions expressed by "Coldstreamer" are strictly his own and do not represent the opinions of Coldstream Council!

Because I value your thoughtful opinions, I encourage you to add a comment to this discussion. Don't be offended if I edit your comments for clarity or to keep out questionable matters, however, and I may even delete off-topic comments.

Gyula Kiss
coldstreamer@shaw.ca;

***Coldstreamernews***

***Coldstreamernews***
We must protect our rights and freedom! (Photo courtesy of D. Gibson) Click on eagle to watch EAGLECAMS

About Me

My photo
I have been a resident of Coldstream since 1976. I have had 15 years of experience on Council, 3 years as Mayor. As a current Councillor I am working to achieve fair water and sewer rates and to ensure that taxpayers get fair treatment. The current direction regarding water supply is unsustainable and I am doing all I can to get the most cost effective water supply possible.