TORONTO, June 3, 2015 /CNW/ - British Columbia, under the leadership of then-Premier Gordon Campbell, introduced in 2008 the first revenue-neutral carbon tax in North America. Seven years on, that bold move demonstrated that pricing carbon, reducing emissions and sustaining economic growth are not mutually exclusive objectives – they can be achieved at the same time.
Today, B.C.'s carbon tax is a case study to the world for how to unlock the power of markets to deliver outcomes that are better for the environment and the economy. For his courage and clarity on this file, Corporate Knights is delighted to announce Gordon Campbell as recipient of its 2015 Award of Distinction, which recognizes leaders in Canadian society who have had a catalytic impact on advancing a more positive relationship between business, government and sustainable development.
"Before Gordon Campbell, it was conventional wisdom that a carbon tax would hurt the economy and kill you politically. He had the courage of his conviction to ignore that noise and now the world looks to B.C. for how to take policy that propels the economy while protecting the environment," said Toby Heaps, CEO of Corporate Knights.
Campbell has packed a lot of public service into his professional life, spending seven years as Vancouver's 35th mayor and another 10 years as B.C. 34th premier. At 67, he has never lost an election, even after slapping the biggest tax on carbon the western hemisphere has yet to see.
Currently the Canadian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Campbell offered the following words of wisdom in an interview appearing in the June 4 issue of Corporate Knights (or online at www.corporateknights.com):
"The best thing to do is act on the basis of what you think is right, not what you think is popular. That's what we're fighting for when we run. You better know what you want to do, not what you want to be, and what you're willing to lose for. You ask what is the most important thing you could do for your grandkids, and then you're starting to think in the right timeframe."
Campbell was presented with his award last night at the Corporate Knights' Best 50 Gala Dinner, held this year at the Art Gallery of Ontario. He joins a distinguished group of past Award of Distinction recipients, including Ann Cavoukian (former Ontario Information and Privacy Commissioner), the Rt. Hon. Paul Martin, Maurice Strong, Hon. Danny Williams, Avrim Lazar, Jim MacNeill, and Dr. Frank Frantisak.
About Corporate Knights
Founded in 2002, Corporate Knights Inc. is an independent Toronto-based media and research company focused on clean capitalism.
SOURCE Corporate Knights Inc.
Image with caption: "Corporate Knights CEO Toby Heaps (left) with former B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell, recipient of the 2015 CK Award of Distinction. Campbell gave an inspiring speech at the Corporate Knights Best 50 Gala Tuesday night at the Art Gallery of Ontario (CNW Group/Corporate Knights Inc.)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150603_C7363_PHOTO_EN_17483.jpg
For further information: Toby Heaps, CEO, Corporate Knights, [email protected], 416-274-1432
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