May 4, 2010
PROVINCE RETURNS 100 PER CENT OF CARBON TAX TO SEA TO SKY CORRIDOR

WHISTLER – The Province has returned $41,283 in carbon tax dollars to the communities in the Sea to Sky corridor through the Climate Action Revenue Incentive Program.

“By agreeing to be carbon-neutral by 2012, these communities are building a better future for their children,” says West Vancouver-Sea to Sky MLA Joan McIntyre. “And we want to reward those efforts by giving back 100 per cent of their paid carbon tax.”

The following communities have received carbon tax rebates:

• Whistler Resort Municipality              $25,359
• Squamish                                       $13,024
• Pemberton                                     $1,212
• Bowen Island Municipality                 $947
• Lions Bay                                       $741

The Climate Action Revenue Incentive Program (CARIP) is a conditional grant program that returns 100 per cent of carbon tax costs back to communities who have signed on to the Climate Action Charter, pledging to become carbon-neutral by 2012. The funding announced today represents carbon tax payments made from January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2009.

The Climate Action Charter is part of the government’s commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 33 per cent by 2020 and 80 per cent by 2050.

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