B.C. mayors call for stronger carbon tax

North Vancouver, April 7, 2016 — A group of mayors representing a cross-section of the province’s large and small communities have laid out a clear vision for climate leadership in British Columbia.

The B.C. Mayors Climate Leadership Council is calling on the B.C. government to commit to increasing the carbon tax up to $15 per tonne annually, more funding for public transit in urban and rural areas, new policies to spur the construction of green buildings, and financial support for local renewable energy projects.

“Carbon emissions in B.C. are on the rise again as a result of limited climate action in our province since 2012,” said Mayor Richard Walton, District of North Vancouver.

“The Climate Leadership Team’s recommendations are the best road map we have to achieve significant carbon emissions reductions and meet our 2050 climate action goals,” he added.

Last December, the B.C. Mayors Climate Leadership Council endorsed the package of recommendations put forward by the province’s Climate Leadership Team.

In response to the government’s Phase 2 consultation toward its Climate Leadership Plan, the council is submitting additional action items that the mayors have identified as critical to achieving a strong plan.

Many of the priorities highlighted by the mayors will require partnerships with communities and benefit all British Columbians. More than half of B.C.’s energy use and carbon emissions come from buildings and transportation in urban areas. Local government regulations and policies have significant climate impact.

The B.C. Mayors Climate Leadership Council is composed of local government leaders — representing Burns Lake, Castlegar, City of North Vancouver, Dawson Creek, District of North Vancouver, North Cowichan, Smithers, and Vancouver — who are committed to taking action to address climate change. District of North Vancouver mayor Richard Walton is the chair of the council.

Quick facts

• B.C.’s carbon emissions in 2013: 64 megatonnes (Mt).
• Projected B.C. carbon emissions in 2020: 72 Mt.
• B.C.’s legislated emissions target for 2020: 43.5 Mt.