By DHARM MAKWANA, 24 HOURS

Applying the harmonized sales tax to green goods is a step in the wrong direction, said a leading global warming campaigner.

Under the proposed B.C. Liberal harmonized sales tax scheme, effective July 1, 2010, items such as bicycles, hybrid vehicles, solar heating panels and renewable energy systems will taxed another seven per cent.

“We can’t speculate what the final proposal will be in this particular case regarding the HST, but we are encouraging government not only to maintain the existing incentives for cleaner options but to strengthen those,” said Ian Bruce, climate change expert with David Suzuki Foundation.

Meanwhile, NDP leader Carole James, hardened her stance against the HST at a rally in Victoria yesterday.

“The new 12 per cent HST exposes the environmental hypocrisy of the B.C. Liberals,” James said. “During the election, the B.C. Liberals promised not to bring in the HST and to take action to tackle climate change. With one decision … B.C. Liberals have put the lie to both those promises.”

[24 Hours Vancouver]