Environment tops the agenda for Campbell government

The B.C. Liberal government is taking aim at global warming, announcing plans to cut current levels of greenhouse gas emissions by one-third by 2020.

The environment was a clear priority in the speech from the throne, read in the legislature on Tuesday by Lt.-Gov. Iona Campagnolo.

"The science is clear. It leaves no room for procrastination. Global warming is real.We will act to stem its growth and minimize the impacts already released. The more timid our response is, the harsher the consequences will be," she read.

As a result, the government is doing something it did not do in its earlier climate change plan — setting specific targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The aim is to cut those emissions by 33 per cent by 2020. A climate change action team will advise the government on interim targets for 2012 and 2016. There will be a longer-term target for 2050.

The government is also taking aim at two coal-fired power plants proposed for the B.C. communities of Princeton and Tumbler Ridge.It says no greenhouse gas emissions will be permitted from coal-fired power plants anywhere in the province.

Other measures being planned include the abolition of sawmill beehive burners, and the $2,000 sales tax exemption on new hybrid vehicles will be extended.

The government is not planning to halt the Gateway transportation project in the Lower Mainland, which has been criticized by environmentalists because it will increase the number of cars on the road. However,the speech does say electronic tolls will help restrain traffic growth.

Environmentalist and broadcaster David Suzuki praised the speech Tuesday.

"It is very heartening to me to know that in British Columbia there seems to be a real shift in terms of the government's approach to climate change and I applaud the premier for making that shift," said Suzuki, a Vancouver-based scientist who won the United Nations Environment Medal.

"Of course, from my standpoint, you know it is never enough."

Smoking targeted

Smoking will be phased out in all indoor public spaces by 2008, and there will be legislation introduced to ban smoking on all school property as well.

In another health initiative,anew electronic surgical patient registry will be set up togive patients more control over their surgical options.

The government is hinting again this year at controversial health reforms, but is notproviding any details.

Changes in education

The government says it plans to broaden the mandate of school boards and change their name to Boards of Education.

Italso plans to respond to a controversial court decision last year on school fees, by authorizing the boards to charge fees to defray what it calls non-instructional costs.

The government will establish a teacher employment registry to publicly report the names of teachers disciplined for misconduct.

There are also plans to give teachers financial incentives to reward improvements in student achievement and to promote professional development.

The government will also amend the School Act to enable boards to offer "special academies."