Exemption for Northern BC Residents on BC Carbon Tax

WHEREAS the new carbon tax legislation that is aimed for enactment on July 1st, 2008 is an inequitable tax burden that will negatively impact the residents of remote, northern communities in the Province of British Columbia in addition to seriously impairing the Tourism and Service Industries in the north; AND WHEREAS implementing a broadly applied policy to tax fossil fuels does not take into consideration non discretionary higher consumption rates in the north due to climate, extreme temperatures, geographic remoteness, transportation costs, accessing adequate medical care in larger centres; and additionally already the highest fuel prices in the province: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Union of British Columbia Municipalities be requested to lobby the BC Minister of Finance and the Minister of Tourism, Sport and the Arts, to consider an exemption from the carbon tax levy on all fossil fuels for those British Columbians living in Northern BC as a geographic indicator of our specific circumstances and requirements.