B.C. Liberal Budget Breaks Environmental Promises

VICTORIA—Yesterday’s budget is clear evidence that the B.C. Liberals have abandoned their environmental promises, say New Democrats.

 “The latest B.C. Liberal budget cuts programs to create green jobs by retrofitting buildings to be more energy efficient and fails to provide a roadmap for fighting climate change and reducing energy consumption,” said New Democrat environment critic Rob Fleming . Rob Fleming

 Funding for the Ministry of Environment has been cut by almost 40 per cent since the B.C. Liberals’ so-called ‘Green Budget’ in 2008. And while the government is claiming the budget restores LiveSmart, they have cut funding for the popular program to half what it was before the election.

 “Since the so-called ‘green budget’ in 2008, most of the incentive programs for home energy efficiency and green consumer items have been slashed or eliminated,” said Fleming. “The B.C. Liberal government is failing to take actions to fight climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.”  

 Fleming noted that, in 2008, B.C. was the only province in Canada to see increases in industrial greenhouse gas emissions.

 Tax incentives for sustainable products like energy-efficient appliances, insulation, heat pumps, energy efficient vehicles, alternative energy sources, and bicycles will be eliminated when the B.C. Liberals bring in the Harmonized Sales Tax on July 1.

 “The B.C. Liberals talk about transitioning to a low-carbon economy, but with their clumsy handling of the HST debacle, B.C. will now tax green products, services and renewables,” said Fleming. “Our parks system is already falling apart. Further cuts to environmental monitoring and enforcement will only make a bad situation worse.”

 Fleming noted that ministry-wide cuts could force more park closures and undermine the ministry’s ability to provide core services like effective enforcement against polluters and poachers, protection programs for species at risk, and work related to adapting to climate change.

 “While cutting almost every department in his ministry, Minister Penner managed to budget an increase for his own office. That’s not leadership, particularly when we’re facing program cuts and hard-working public servants are facing job losses,” said Fleming.

 “This government’s backwards decision to tax environmentally friendly products doesn’t square with the B.C. Liberals’ rhetoric on climate change. The regressive actions contained in this budget speak louder than words.”

 Carole James and the New Democrats are advocating for positive environmental solutions, including a Green Fund which would see $150 million a year of carbon tax revenue directed towards climate change solutions and transit improvements in communities across the province.