Minister of Environment Hon. Terry Lake has announced that greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions were reduced by 4.5 percent (2.9 million tonnes) between 2007 and 2010, indicating that BC could still meet its interim 2012 target of 6 percent reduction below 2007 levels by 2012. Details of the province's progress on GHG reductions are highlighted in 'Making Progress on BCs Climate Action Plan'; these achievements have been made while the population and GDP grew at 5 percent and 4.4 percent, respectively.

The report also identified growth in BC's green business opportunities, having provided over 115,000 direct jobs and 48 percent growth in the clean tech sector from 2007-2010.

The report identifies a series of challenges for meeting GHG targets, regardless of emissions reductions in other sectors, if no actions are taken:

• Increasing natural gas production;
• New industrial projects;
• Off-road diesel vehicles; and,
• Forest degradation.

Although it is premature to directly attribute lower fuel use to climate change policies, the province's accomplishments are viewed as connected with increased efficiency, switching to other fuels like electricity, and BC's carbon tax.

As of July 1, 2012, the last scheduled increase, the carbon tax is established at $30/tonne. Today, Minister of Finance Hon. Kevin Falcon announced the government is accepting written submissions on the tax help inform the comprehensive review announced with Budget 2012. Submissions will be accepted until August 31, 2012.

The BC Teachers Federation (BCTF) concluded an agreement-in-committee with the Provincial government last week.

Elements of the agreement include an increase in benefits and changes to leave provisions among others.

The agreement will expire on June 30, 2013, after the next BC election, and is retroactive to July, 2011.

Despite this agreement, the BCTF is continuing to challenge the Province on Bill 22 and teachers' labour rights, including class size and composition, and salaries. The BCTF filed a notice of civil claim in the BC Supreme Court on June 27.

The decision by the federal Ministry of Fisheries and Oceans to close the Kitsilano Coast Guard base is finding strong opposition by British Columbians.

The area is one of the busiest waterways in Canada as BC Ferries and the SeaBus are both active in that area, trans-porting 10 million and 5 million people per year, respectively.

BC NDP Public Safety Critic Kathy Corrigan is pushing for the BC NDP and BC Liberals to provide a united front against the proposed closure. The Province has yet to determine a course of action.

This weekly report produced for the BC Chamber of Commerce by Fleishman-Hillard.  While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information included in this publication as of the date of issue, events and government policies are subject to frequent change.  Therefore, the BC Chamber of Commerce and Fleishman-Hillard cannot assume any responsibility for actions taken solely or principally on the basis on the information contained herein.