The BC Liberal government has put into law a target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 33 per cent by 2020. To support that goal, B.C. has undertaken one of the most comprehensive climate action strategies in North America, including a revenue-neutral carbon tax on pollution and is working to establish a cap-and-trade system to put a limit on industrial emissions. At the same time, we’ve invested millions to develop alternative energy technologies and support energy-efficiency in schools, communities and other sectors. Challenges and Opportunities:
An economy built on cheap energy and pollution without consequence is now a thing of the past. As the world moves to a low-carbon economy, B.C. has the opportunity to be at the forefront of ‘green’ technology and innovation. The green tech sector in B.C. is now comprised of about 250 companies employing about 3,700 people, and is growing at an annual rate of 11 per cent. If climate change is left unchecked, there’s a potential for enormous impacts on health, safety and our economy. Discussion:
How can government support British Columbians to reduce their personal carbon footprint and save energy, fuel and money? Where should support be directed to build B.C.’s alternative energy sector and green technology development? And what advantages should British Columbia capitalize on to allow it to lead the world’s new green economy?
B.C.'s small business growth leads Canada
B.C. government eliminated 164,000 pieces of red tape
B.C. Liberals lowered small business taxes
Province cut corporate taxes by one-third
Record funding for K-12 education
Class size limits enshrined in law
B.C. parents' right to volunteer guaranteed in law
Province adds more front-line staff for children at risk
B.C. Liberal government provided more funding for community infrastructure
B.C. government grants $285 M for regional economic trusts
All traffic fine revenue returned to cities annually
Provincial income tax eliminated for a quarter million low-income people
Number of child care spaces receiving operating funding almost double
B.C. Liberal government cut income taxes to lowest in Canada
Agreements providing social and economic opportunities for First Nations
B.C. Liberal Government signed modern treaties with six First Nations
Aboriginal unemployment a third lower than in 2001
B.C. Liberal government increased funding for health care by 60 per cent
B.C.'s first new regional hospital in 30 years built in Abbotsford
New hospitals under construction in five communities
Twice as many doctors being trained in B.C. than in 1990s
North America's most progressive climate action plan, praised by climatologists and economists
Carbon tax funds tax cuts and impact equal to removing 800,000 vehicles
Over 12,000 new and replacement seniors' care beds and units
Wait time for residential care down to 90 days from one year
B.C. government providing more home support care hours than ever before
B.C. Liberal government created seven new universities
