BC's Greenhouse Gases Went Up After Carbon Tax Imposed

VICTORIA - Data from Environment Canada shows in 2008, the year the carbon tax came into effect, BC spewed out 65.1 megatonnes of greenhouse gases.
That's an increase over 2007 and not exactly on track for the big reductions the Campbell government has ordered must come.

It's already passed legislation requiring BC to reduce its carbon emissions by 33% by 2020.

Today, environment minister Barry Penner was trying to put on a brave face.

When the carbon tax was introduced two years ago, it was supposed to be the single biggest motivator to get people out of their cars, but relatively few are. Those same numbers show just a 1.3% decrease in transportation-related emissions.

The minister claims the oil and gas industry is the main offender. The opposition NDP claim the government has abandoned its green agenda.

NDP environment critic Rob Fleming points out that the province promised to at least look at restricting cosmetic pesticides. But so far there's been no restrictions or bans brought into place.

Fleming isn't waiting. He brought in his own private members bill before the house today.

Fleming's proposed law is likely to wilt without government support. How the effects of the carbon tax will fare on future greenhouse gas emissions is less clear.

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