B.C. Carbon Tax Kicks In

"The extra 2.34 cents a litre for regular gasoline has caused consternation among the majority of voters - highlighting the challenge of carbon-pricing politics."

"For B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell, who faces an election next May, and others pushing green policies such as federal Liberal Leader Stéphane Dion, it is the hardest political sell of this generation. Canadians say the environment is a priority, but polls also indicate voters are worried about expensive energy as the price of oil soars."

"Yesterday was Day 1 of B.C.'s carbon tax, applied to fossil fuels including gasoline and diesel, as well as to natural gas and home-heating fuel, and paid by individual and business purchasers."

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The B.C. government has billed the carbon tax as "revenue neutral," meaning that the government won't take in more than it would otherwise."

"Alongside more expensive carbon, income taxes for individuals and businesses were reduced yesterday."

"But groups such as the B.C. Trucking Association are upset, calling on the B.C. government to pour more money into incentives for its members to reduce fuel usage. Trucking accounts for about 10 per cent of B.C.'s greenhouse gas emissions."

Thanks to Brent Toderian