You may want to try and figure out that new pay at the pump procedure at your local gas station before two o'clock today, and top up your tank while you're there. It's Budget Day in BC and many pundits suspect that with the delivery of the Campbell governments new financial plan this afternoon, your cost for a litre of gas is about to go up.
Green is the colour of the day today for British Columbians, as Finance Minister Carole Taylor dons her green shoes and delivers what many expect will be the Provincial Governments “Greenprint” for the next year, heavy on environmental concerns.
While the Liberals embrace green, it may be that they also will want some of your personal green, as part of a much discussed “carbon tax”, an anticipated consumption gas that could very well increase the price of gas by a few cents a litre, all in pursuit of a cleaner environment.
However, some suggest that it may be more of a tax grab, than any dedicated bid to convince British Columbians to give up their automobiles. While a two or three cent rise in the provincial gas on taxes will be an inconvenience to British Columbians, it would take a drastic increase such as eighteen to twenty cents a litre , before we suddenly decided that walking, biking, smaller cars or public transit is a better alternative for a greener world.
While the Liberals embrace green, it may be that they also will want some of your personal green, as part of a much discussed “carbon tax”, an anticipated consumption gas that could very well increase the price of gas by a few cents a litre, all in pursuit of a cleaner environment.
However, some suggest that it may be more of a tax grab, than any dedicated bid to convince British Columbians to give up their automobiles. While a two or three cent rise in the provincial gas on taxes will be an inconvenience to British Columbians, it would take a drastic increase such as eighteen to twenty cents a litre , before we suddenly decided that walking, biking, smaller cars or public transit is a better alternative for a greener world.
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It’s doubtful that any provincial government looking for another term come Election Day, would be inclined to post such drastic increases even if in the name of saving our little corner of the planet. So expect smaller incremental increases and other options to get us all onto the Green agenda.
The newfound dedication to the environment has become one of the key planks in the Campbell government in the last few years, it’s his main talking point at most conferences (even the ones that Al and Arnold don’t appear at) now and always seems to be part of the discussion at every press conference of late.
For Taylor, this will be her last budget as Finance Minister, as she has announced that she won’t be running for re-election when the next election rolls around in 2009. It would seem sensible that Campbell would have a new Finance Minister in place for next years run up to the election.
The newfound dedication to the environment has become one of the key planks in the Campbell government in the last few years, it’s his main talking point at most conferences (even the ones that Al and Arnold don’t appear at) now and always seems to be part of the discussion at every press conference of late.
For Taylor, this will be her last budget as Finance Minister, as she has announced that she won’t be running for re-election when the next election rolls around in 2009. It would seem sensible that Campbell would have a new Finance Minister in place for next years run up to the election.
That leaves this budget to most likely be Taylor's legacy budget, she’s already telegraphed that even in times of financial concern, the time for passing the buck on the environment is over.
All that remains to be seen this afternoon is how many of those bucks the Liberals are going to ask from British Columbians and where they plan on spending them in pursuit of the green plan.
All that remains to be seen this afternoon is how many of those bucks the Liberals are going to ask from British Columbians and where they plan on spending them in pursuit of the green plan.
Van Sun--Vaughn Palmer-On eve of budget day, Taylor marches to her own (green) drummer
Van Province--Michael Smyth-Cash shift, or grab, for climate change?
Van Province--Budget: Carbon tax will loom large
Vic Times Colonist--B.C. government primed to paint province green
Globe and Mail--B.C. vows green budget despite economic fears
Black Press--Finance minister prepares 'green' budget
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Photo from the Black Press website
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