B.C. Federation of Labour president Jim Sinclair advocated raising taxes in his address to the British Columbia New Democratic Party's convention this morning.

“We need to look at the tax system and make it fair again,” said Sinclair, in a speech that received strong applause throughout and a standing ovation at its completion. “We need to get that wealth back from the people who can most afford to give it, the corporations and the wealthy.”

The government should only give tax cuts to corporations in situations where it gets something back in return, he said.

In making the argument he cited his former employer, Conrad Black, observing that Black's current incarceration may have made him more aware of the need for a better funded public sector.

In a National Post column yesterday Black said taxes should be raised in three areas, including “a serious gasoline tax” to encourage conservation, a tax on securities trades and merchant banking transactions, and a “wealth tax” to be used for anti-poverty projects.

Sinclair spoke at the convention an hour and a half before leader Carole James.

Andrew MacLeod is The Tyee’s Legislative Bureau Chief in Victoria. Reach him here.