British Columbia.

• Author: Butler, Kathryn
• Position: Legislative Reports - Report

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Lieutenant Governor Stephen Point delivered his first Speech from the Throne to open the 4th Session of the 38th Parliament on February 12, 2008. The Speech contained a number of initiatives to further the government's goals of healthier families and sustainable health delivery; educational excellence; safe, supportive communities; and a strong economy. With regard to environmental stewardship, the government's commitments include:

* A future investment of $14 billion to improve transit and encourage higher density in population centres;

* A new green building code;

* A "Trees for Tomorrow" program to encourage reforestation, with a goal of zero net deforestation; and

* A Citizens' Conservation Council and a Youth Climate Leadership Alliance.

During the Throne Speech debate the Opposition expressed qualified support for the "greening of the province" but claimed that a number of important issues had been overlooked by the government. In particular, they argued that there was no specific mention of new initiatives to tackle child poverty and homelessness, or to raise the minimum wage.

Budget

Finance Minister Carole Taylor presented the budget on February 19, 2008. The government's emphasis on the environment continued, with:

* A new carbon tax, effective July 1, 2008;

* A $100 payment to each British Columbian in June 2008 to offset the impact of the carbon tax;

* An investment of $1 billion over four years to help make greener choices easier, more accessible and more affordable; and

* $95 million to establish a Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions.

Also included in the budget was more support for low-income families, health care and the arts. The major changes to tax policy are a personal income tax cut of 5 percent on the first $70,000 by 2009 and reductions in the general corporate income tax rate (to 11 percent) and for small business (to 3.5 percent).

Members of the Official Opposition were disappointed by the budget. They pointed out that the impact of the carbon tax will be borne by ordinary British Columbians. The opposition was also concerned that the budget appeared to contain no measures to make advanced education more affordable, to help parents find child care, or to help families "struggling to keep a roof over their heads."

Environmental Legislation

During the spring sitting, the government introduced more legislation to deal with climate change, after having enacted the Greenhouse Gas Reduction...