NDP promises climate rebate cheques for families in British Columbia

VANCOUVER – British Columbia's New Democrats are promising rebate cheques to offset increases in the cost of the province's carbon tax, if the party wins May's election.

NDP Leader John Horgan did not say how much the cheques would be worth, but promised 80 per cent of residents would be eligible for the rebates.

He says the NDP's plan targets the Liberal government's carbon tax, which is set to increase to $50 per tonne of carbon emissions in 2022.

The nine-year-old carbon tax is set at $30 per tonne and is scheduled to increase to comply with the federal government's national carbon plan.

Horgan said rebate cheques would be issued on the first month of each scheduled increase.

Horgan says carbon pollution has been rising under Premier Christy Clark's government and Environment Canada forecasts carbon pollution will increase by 32 per cent in B.C. by 2030.

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Kim Anderson

Originally from a northern B.C. town that boasts a giant fly fishing rod and a population of 3,100, Kim moved to Kamloops in 2011 to attend Thompson Rivers University. Kim is as comfortable behind a camera as she is writing on her laptop. After graduating with a degree in journalism, Kim has been busy with an independent freelance writing project and photography work. Contact Kim at kanderson@infonews.ca with news tips or story ideas.

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