Whereas the Premier announced on September 12 that the Province would remove the individual portion of the carbon tax if given the opportunity; And whereas this poses a threat to the effectiveness of the Provinces climate strategy as an essential tool to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and transition the province to a low-carbon economy; And whereas local governments face significant financial challenges in addressing the costs of transportation, increasing energy efficiency in homes, adapting new and existing infrastructure and adapting to the impacts of climate change from wildfires, floods, and shifting ecosystems: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM request the Province of British Columbia to immediately engage with local government to develop a modernized carbon pricing framework; And be it further resolved that UBCM request a significant portion of carbon pricing revenue be directed to local governments to support climate action initiatives such as transit, energy efficiency programs for homes, and adaptation of critical infrastructure, thereby directly helping local communities and their residents prepare for the impacts of catastrophic climate change.
