It was Budget week for B.C. – a week in which the government usually gets the glory. The headlines have been around the so-called Carbon Tax. In reality it is a fuel tax and it lets the big polluters off lightly. While the oil and gas sector is responsible for 21 percent of emissions, the industry is getting $327 million in subsidies. And while individuals get $100 cash back, the banks are receiving a $220 million tax break.

For me, one of the most troubling messages about the new flat tax on the fuel we consume is, and I quote the budget documents, “none of the revenue will be used to fund government programs.” And this comes alongside further income tax cuts and corporate tax cuts.

Without appearing too simplistic, taxes pay for government services. We pay tax so we can have public education, public healthcare, so our roads will be maintained and our seniors cared for. As I mentioned in my response to the throne speech, earlier this week the government hides behind a neo-conservative philosophy of “individual choice” to undercut public services. It says that it is giving people money back, so they can choose what they want to spend it on when in reality individuals have less choice at a greater cost.

This government is an abrogation of responsibility. A government’s job is to look after its people, to support its society. This is cannot happen when it levies taxes, then clearly states it will not use those taxes for programs.

I was able to raise the concept that this government has no sense of the public good in my response to the throne speech, http://www.leg.bc.ca/hansard/38th4th/H80218p.htm#9755 . I was able to raise issues where we in North Island see that clearly:

- in the closure of Elk Falls mill;

- in the arrogant decisions about the regional hospital and regional district;

- in its privatisation of seniors care -- moving people from Sunshine Lodge to a new private facility;

- in its disregard of its own New Relationship document for working with First Nations;

- in its contempt shown to our ferry dependent communities.

I also raised the increasing cost of our ferries in question period, http://www.leg.bc.ca/hansard/38th4th/H80218p.htm#9737 , but got a dismissive response.

While the Official Opposition has been criticised in some quarters for our apparent lack of action on environmental issues, I was able to discuss the NDP’s Sustainable BC document which lays a foundation for a sustainable future for all of us. Unlike the government’s tinkering with taxes, Sustainable BC is a visionary and working document which provides basic tenets for our society as we move forward in the coming years.

I also had the pleasure of talking about one of the heroes for environmentalists: Roderick Haig Brown http://www.leg.bc.ca/hansard/38th4th/H80220p.htm#9805 This week marks the 100th anniversary of his birth. I hope that he continues to inspire people in all of BC for many more years to come.

I am happy to met with constituents at my Port McNeill or Campbell River office: I can be contacted by phone on (250)-287-5100 or (866)-387-5100 or by email at claire.trevena.mlaleg.bc.ca .