Carbon Tax Revenue Transparency Act
Category: Environment — Environment
Summary
Require full public accounting of carbon tax revenues and direct 50% to climate action projects.
What this proposal changes
- Mandates annual public reporting of total BC carbon tax revenue collected, disaggregated by sector and fuel type.
- Requires that 50% of annual carbon tax revenue be allocated to a dedicated Climate Action Fund for emission-reduction projects.
- Creates an independent BC Carbon Tax Accountability Board to audit revenue use and publish annual compliance reports.
- Publishes a publicly searchable database of all Climate Action Fund grants, recipients, and reported emission reductions achieved.
Arguments for
- BC's carbon tax was the first in North America; eroding public trust in how revenues are used is a primary driver of political opposition to carbon pricing.
- Transparent revenue allocation to demonstrably climate-positive uses strengthens the case for maintaining and increasing the carbon price.
- An independent accountability board insulates revenue allocation from political interference and provides credibility to public reporting.
Arguments against
- Earmarking 50% of revenues to a specific fund reduces fiscal flexibility; during recessions or health crises, government needs access to all revenue streams.
- Defining 'emission-reduction projects' precisely enough to prevent greenwashing is technically and politically contentious.
- An independent accountability board adds administrative cost and may conflict with the Auditor General's existing mandate.
Cost & implementation
Accountability Board and reporting infrastructure: $10–20 million annually. Climate Action Fund allocation would redirect existing revenue — approximately $800 million–$1.5 billion annually at current carbon tax rates.
Jurisdiction & legal authority
BC's carbon tax is fully provincial under the Carbon Tax Act. Revenue allocation is entirely within provincial fiscal authority. The federal Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act backstop does not apply where BC has its own equivalent system.
How to vote
Visit cascadia.vote/questions/pnwc-A26 to cast your vote: Yes, No, or Maybe.
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