Liberals are addressing the climate
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Updated: October 30, 2009 1:55 PM
Editor
I wish to respond to Doug Routley’s recent column with respect to the International Day of Climate Action and B.C. Leadership. B.C.’s Climate Action Plan, which commits to a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 33 per cent by 2020 and 80 per cent by 2050 from 2007 levels, is internationally recognized as a bold and aggressive target.
By 2010, our government will be the first in North America to commit to a carbon neutral public service. A total of 176 municipalities have committed to being carbon neutral by 2012. We introduced a progressive carbon tax and estimate it will save up to three million tonnes of CO2 emissions annually, equal to taking almost 800,000 cars off the road each year. B.C. businesses, large and small, are also seeing that climate action can drive economic growth and job creation. Our government is partnering with industry to find new ways to reduce emissions in every sector of our economy.
Frankly, this is in stark contrast to the Carole James/NDP plan. They would scrap legislated tax reductions for rural industries, devastate job creation during the worst economic downturn in 27 years, clobber those same industries with even more costs and destroy jobs in communities in every region of the province.
I invite Mr. Routley and the NDP to join the majority of British Columbians who have made it clear they want to be part of the climate action solution – not the problem.
John Yap
Minister of State for Climate Action
