May 3, 2008
A message from the Minister of Small Business and Revenue, the Honourable Rick Thorpe, CMA, FCMA,
Re: Carbon Tax Act:
On April 28, 2008, the Minister of Finance, the Honourable Carole Taylor introduced Bill 37, the Carbon Tax Act in the legislature. Once Bill 37 is passed by the legislature, the Ministry of Small Business and Revenue will be responsible for administering the carbon tax provisions of the new act. To ensure my ministry is meeting the needs of our customers as outlined in the Taxpayer Fairness and Service Code, I am asking for feedback on a variety of draft notices and forms. These draft notices and forms will assist you in complying with the legislation and are available on our website at http://www.sbr.gov.bc.ca/individuals/Consumer_Taxes/Carbon_Tax/carbon_tax.htm. I want to ensure the information we provide you clearly communicates how the Carbon Tax Act will apply to your businesses. Our goal is to ensure our communication is straightforward and easily understood. Please provide your feedback on your ability to understand the draft notices and forms, your ability to provide the information requested in the draft forms, and any other concerns or clarifications relating to these draft notices and forms. I would ask you provide your feedback to the contact listed below no later than May 9, 2008. This will give the ministry time to review and incorporate your ideas and suggestions before the carbon tax comes into effect July 1, 2008. Please direct your feedback on these draft notices and forms to Pat Parkinson, Director, Consumer Taxation Programs Branch (Pat.Parkinson@gov.bc.ca, 250 387-0611) and copy me at SBR.Minister@gov.bc.ca. If you are calling from outside Victoria, you can call toll-free through Enquiry BC: call 604 660-2421 in Vancouver or 1 800 663-7867 elsewhere in British Columbia. Over the coming weeks, there will be additional carbon tax draft notices and forms we would like your feedback on. For these documents, please submit your comments within 10 days of receiving the draft to the contact listed above. Thank you very much for taking the time to participate in this consultative process. Your input is valued.