Pay now or pay later
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Updated: August 06, 2009 3:47 PM
Editor:
The B.C. gas tax is designed to reduce carbon pollution. So many of the arguments against the gas tax fail to consider the real reason for such a tax. It is, ultimately, to reduce pollution of the air we breathe.
Charging a gas tax is like adding a deposit to every drink bottle and can. We do that to reduce litter on the landscape; to foster recycling of resources; to reduce waste in landfills.
If the main argument against the gas tax is that the tax increases cost of operation of a business or personal vehicle, I refer to this statement, “You can pay me now, or you can pay me later.” Sooner or later, we or our grandchildren will pay.
For the future of our environment, I suggest we need to take the gas tax a bit further. Extend it to include economical incentives for conserving all energy sources. The Green Party of BC proposes using refundable tax credits for energy retrofits to residential, commercial, industrial and institutional buildings, as well as mandatory installation of solar hot water systems on new buildings. These are positive changes we need to implement now for a better future.
Gordi Moore, North Vancouver
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