Updated: Fri Apr. 24 2009 10:19:21

ctvbc.ca

The Conservation Voters of B.C. are urging people to vote for "Anyone but Carole" in the Vancouver Island riding of NDP Leader Carole James.

In their "ABC" campaign, the non-partisan group says they do not endorse James for re-election in the Victoria-Beacon Hill riding because of her wish to dump the controversial carbon tax.

"We believe the party needs new leadership and new voices that take a more urgent, principled and collaborative approach to meeting the challenges of climate change," spokesperson Will Horter said.

The announcement was made Thursday during the group's first round of endorsements for the upcoming provincial election.

The Conservation voters have only endorsed four candidates: Environment Minister Barry Penner, NDP members Lana Popham and Gary Holman and the Greens' Damian Kettlewell.

James is sticking to her decision to scrap the carbon tax if her party takes office.

"I've had this discussion with environmentalists. Some of the groups who've come out strongly around the carbon tax, I've agreed to disagree with them on carbon tax," she told reporters after a leader's debate at CKNW radio on Thursday.

The NDP party has endured a firestorm of criticism from environmentalists since the beginning of the election campaign -- an unusual turn for a party that is normally supported by green thinkers.

On Saturday David Suzuki said the NDP stance on axing the tax would poison other jurisdictions against making the move.

"If [Liberal Leader Gordon Campbell] goes down because of the axe the tax, the repercussions are that the carbon tax will be toxic for future politicians," he said.

"No politician will raise it. That's why environmentalists are so upset."

On April 17, longtime NDP supporter and environmental activist Tzeporah Berman gave up her membership and support for the party, saying the carbon tax policy is an attempt to "confuse the public" for political gain.

A brief history

The Liberal government introduced the first North American carbon tax last year. It taxes almost all fossil fuels, including gasoline, diesel and home-heating fuel. The tax rate will rise over the next four years.

The NDP says that the tax should be replaced by a cap-and-trade system, which would cap the amount of pollutants companies can emit before they must purchase credits from those who pollute less.

Last week, an independent federal advisory panel, the National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy, suggested that Ottawa and the provinces should adopt the cap-and-trade system, saying it is the most efficient and least costly means of controlling greenhouse gas emissions.

Comments are now closed for this story

Robert in Vancouver and Winnipeg
haha I love it. Suzuki the communist is unhappy with the NDP.

Darlene
People are worried about the carbon tax but I believe a far greater environmental concern should be the massive "Run of the River Projects" that will go through if the Liberals get back in. I don't believe the Green Party has a chance of winning a majority of seats, so if you vote against the NDP because of the carbon tax it will mean the Liberals get in and are rivers will be controlled by Plutonic Power and the like

Jeanne B.C.
I did vote for the NDP the last time they were in and was very sorry. Last time I voted for the Liberals and I will be doing it again. Carol James is a scary person because she thinks she is better than anyone as she looks down her nose when she is commenting on things. The economy problems aren't just in B.C., Canada but a world wide problem so get off that kick people

Jim-Surrey
How can anyone support the Carbon Tax when only Gordo knows where it goes. Probably his next planned MLA salary increases.
Growing up I thought David was an intelligent man but now in my 50's I see he really is not.
He should stay with his Nature of Things and leave politics alone!!!!

Amar
Looks like the dippers are in trouble! Without the enviromentalists they are doomed!

Allan Kuan, Vancouver, BC
I dunno why everyone raises such a nasty stink on someone (David Suzuki that is) who used to be a Japanese internee during World War 2. His environment views are not very radical. Maybe they are different from all the other anti-environment and environmental-ignorant views, but that is no reason to label him as communist or a profiteer.

To be honest, scrapping the carbon tax isn't a good thing. It'd be better to use it more appropriately, like to fund the recent TransLink budget shortfall, rather than giving people $100 to spend any way they choose. That... I think... was plainly wasteful...

Also, Gordon Campbell hasn't totally managed the budget well... budget surpluses are one thing, but tax decreases have left our many social services down... I can attest to this fact as I am a student, and our school (like others in Vancouver) is lacking funding. Besides, umm... we're in a deficit now? He should have budgeted for this long before.

Doug BC
HaHa.It's bizzare watching the NDP trip all over themselves over a policy they once supported.They have no policy.Period.
Yes,I detest Gordom Campbell as much as most people,and more than a whole lot of NDPers.But really,the only thing I fear more than more Liberals,is a return to the NDP mismanagement of this province.In a perfect world we would have another choice.The good news is,that Campbell is likely going to retire before the next election.
And,"Darlene" surely must remember hat "run of the river" hydro actually got started under the previous NDP government.I share her concerns,but,if done right it will be one more step towards cleaner energy that we can either use,or sell to the USA.And personally,I am not one who thinks making a profit is a really bad thing.
In this election I fel the same way as I do about the federal election we just had klast year.Not particularly fond of the governing party, but totally afraid of the alternatives.The NDP in BC have no policies to actually vote for.Which is the sa,e as their Liberal cousins in Ottawa.Bot are just waiting and hoping we will vote against the governing party so they can win by default.
Well,sorry Carole.And sorry Iggy,but in the absence of positive and pragmatic policies from your respective parties,I will stick with the devil I know. Even if I have to hold my nose to vote.More socialism is not on my list of wants or needs.