Campbell makes the wrong choice

"If the government brings in a carbon tax without also providing transportation options, then it simply will be viewed as a tax grab. People won't use their cars less. They will just pay more. That risks triggering the kind of resentment and anger that will undermine support for action on climate change and set us back many years."

That's what I said about carbon taxes last October. I stand by those words. Unfortunately, they are coming true because Premier Gordon Campbell refuses to listen to the people who have to pay the gas tax. Campbell thinks he knows better, just like his climate change adviser, Mark Jaccard.

I haven't talked to a single British Columbian who doesn't believe we need to take action on climate change. But there's a right way and a wrong way to price carbon. The right way is to listen to the people affected, address their concerns and take action. The wrong way is to work in secrecy, ride roughshod over concerns, and lash out when people dare to complain.

I'm hearing four legitimate concerns regarding Campbell's gas tax:

- Many people have few transit alternatives, particularly outside Vancouver. Where transit alternatives exist, the Campbell government is increasing fares. And while working people pay the tax, big polluters get a pass. It's a matter of fairness.

- Jaccard makes it clear that the government doesn't care that the tax hits the forest industry hard at a time of crisis. When a case can be made about an industry as significant as this one the government should listen and work to mitigate its impact.

- Hospitals are in crisis, schools are being shut and municipal taxes are skyrocketing. The government has not even considered the impact this new tax will have on these services.

- The gas tax won't reduce emissions. In its budget, the Campbell government projects fuel use to increase over the next three years. In addition, the B.C. Liberals are increasing subsidies for oil and gas development, speeding up coalbed methane development and selling off forest land.

The government had a choice: Take legitimate concerns seriously, consult and address them, or continue to leave people and their very real concerns out.

I believe the second choice, the choice Campbell is making -- to hit working people and communities with an unfair gas tax that doesn't reduce emissions and lets big polluters off the hook -- is a serious mistake.

Carole James is the leader of the B.C. New Democratic Party.