Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, early this week the Premier gave a bold and uncompromising statement on putting the NWT first and bucking Ottawa's efforts to make decisions for us. While I have some sympathy for the Premier's position, I wonder why it has taken us so long to get our footing on this issue of carbon tax because, if we don't have our own made-in-the-North carbon tax, Ottawa is the one who is going to be deciding how it works here, and for that, the responsibility is this government.
The initial climate change deal was signed in December of 2016, and engagement for carbon pricing only began July 26th of this year, with a February 2018 deadline. That does not give us much time, Mr. Speaker, and I certainly know my constituents have a lot to say about this and are quite concerned about what the future is going to look like; and while we have a discussion paper, we do not have a clear plan of what the government is actually considering. I'm going to offer a solution that addresses our high cost of living, but still makes an impact on reducing our emissions, and that's to look towards the model that is currently existing in British Columbia.
Mr. Speaker, in 2018 British Columbia introduced North America's first revenue-neutral carbon tax applied to the purchase or use of fuel in British Columbia. The carbon tax has been celebrated as the most comprehensive of its kind, covering approximately 70 per cent of provincial emissions. Every dollar raised from this new tax is returned to British Columbians in the form of personal and business tax measures, such as reductions in personal income tax rates, the Low Income Climate Action Tax Credit, and corporate income tax reductions.
The result, Mr. Speaker, has been an estimated reduction of provincial emissions by 15 per cent, while offering negligible effects on overall economic performance in B.C's. real GDP growth, which is 12.4 per cent, stronger than the Canadian average, Mr. Speaker, and also a 12.5 per cent increase in clean economy jobs. It is clear, Mr. Speaker, that we can develop a carbon tax that both supports a strong and growing economy and reduces our emissions. The way to do it is with a revenue neutral tax credit that will see all the proceeds returned into the pockets of hardworking Northerners who are concerned about the high cost of living. It is appropriate now that the government propose these solutions instead of relying on consultations and putting them out there like spaghetti. It is time to take action on climate change. It is time to have a carbon tax. Thank you.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Yellowknife Centre.
