To the editor:
When it was introduced four years ago, British Columbia's carbon tax was hailed by the international environmental community as a groundbreaking initiative.
And it was groundbreaking, even though the B.C. NDP opposed the initiative and campaigned against the revenue neutral tax.
Now, the provincial government is looking at capping the carbon tax, which could be a wise move given the slow pace of recovery in the global economy and the even slower pace among other jurisdictions to follow B.C.'s example and put a price on carbon.
As mind-boggling as it may sound, however, the B.C. NDP state they are opposed to capping the carbon tax, a position that runs completely counter to their previous outright opposition to the tax.
As they say, go figure. Others might even say the B.C. NDP are consummate contrarians.
Capping B.C.'s carbon tax for a time while other jurisdictions catch up to B.C. and allow for a leveling of the playing field, makes total sense. Especially now that other jurisdictions are starting to make positive moves in the right direction.
Australia, for example, recently approved a carbon tax that will force its coal-fired power plants and major carbon emitters to pay for the carbon they release, thereby encouraging clean energy development. Alberta has also placed a price on carbon.
So change is afoot, and we can be proud that B.C. led the way. So a little time out is more than justified.
Sandra Robinson
Maple Ridge