They must, because I just got a non-taxable cheque for $100 in the mail. Sorry to burst your bubble but you weren’t the only one to get this “Climate Action Dividend.” Every individual (adult or child) with a BC residency on December 31, 2007 is eligible for this monetary incentive (except those incarcerated of course). And what exactly is the government’s message? Well, as the name of this initiative implies, it is “to help British Columbians make lifestyle changes to reduce their use of fossil fuels.” The total value of these benefits is $440 million, paid out of the 2007/08 surplus.

Now hold up. Before you start jumping for joy and running to the mall for that new pair of shoes that you’ve been salivating over, remember that starting next week, the province’s Revenue Neutral Carbon Tax will kick in and you’ll find a dramatic increase in your use of expletives whenever you make a stop at the pumps. The math is complicated but just to give you an idea, according to “North America’s first comprehensive carbon tax,” you’ll be paying 2.41 cents more per litre of gasoline this year, a premium that will increase each year for the next four years. Eventually, you’ll be paying 7.24 cents more per litre by 2012. For diesel and home heating oil, it works out to 2.76 cents more per litre, rising to 8.27 cents more per litre over the same period.

So yes, the $100 does seem to be sugar-coating this terrible news, but keep in mind that it’s a “Revenue-Neutral” Carbon Tax, which means that by law, all revenue raised by the carbon tax must be returned to individuals and businesses through reductions to other taxes. So, if you’re a cup half-full kind of person, all of it can be viewed as an incentive to make better choices for the environment and as a consequence, for yourself and your family. So kudos to the government I say. I’m going to be buying light bulbs with my $100. Seriously folks, do use it for what it’s intended. Energy Star qualified bulbs use about 75% less energy than standard incandescent bulbs and last up to 10 times longer. If you wanna join me, here’s a link to a great article that’ll come in handy on your next shopping trip.