News Release - July 30, 2008

VICTORIA - The Campbell government is so fixated on promoting its new fuel tax that it is unable to hear the widespread public criticism, says NDP energy critic John Horgan.  In the July 30 Kelowna Daily Courier, Small Business and Revenue Minister Kevin Krueger is quoted as saying about the tax:  "I haven't heard any complaints and if there were any, I'd be one of the first to hear about them."

"Talk about out of touch," said Horgan.  "Campbell and his cabinet ministers are so convinced that they know what's best that they can't even hear the chorus of opposition to this unfair and ineffective gas tax."

Horgan pointed to an Angus Reid poll released yesterday that shows more than two thirds of British Columbians oppose the tax and almost 90 per cent of British Columbians think it's unfair that ordinary consumers pay the tax while big polluters are left off the hook.

"I can't believe that Campbell and his Ministers don't hear the outcry about this tax," said Horgan. "People are angry that average British Columbians are getting hit in the pocketbook while large polluters are getting exemptions.

"People don't believe Campbell's claim that his tax is ‘revenue neutral', he said. "British Columbians know that the tax is hurting hospitals, schools, community centres and key industries like forestry and tourism.  And they know it's doing virtually nothing in the fight against climate change."

Horgan said it is time for the Campbell government to listen to British Columbians, scrap the gas tax, and bring in real measures to fight climate change.

"We need tough regulations on large polluters.  We need expanded transit.  We need a comprehensive retrofit program for businesses and homes," he said.  "We don't need a consumer tax that doesn't achieve our goals."

The New Democrat framework for fighting climate change is available at: www.realclimateaction.ca

July 30 Kelowna Daily Courier article attached

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Contact: Leah Herman (250) 387-4123