Should they win the May 14 election, the BC New Democrats would expand the carbon tax base to include oil and gas emissions, but they would not increase the tax.

Matt Horne, the climate program director at the Pembina Institute, wishes the NDP had promised more. 

"It is disappointing that a rate increase is not included in the NDP's fiscal plan, because continued increases are a must if the province is going to meet its greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets," said Horne in a statement today. "This is a conversation that the next provincial government should be prepared to have with British Columbians."

He was pleased though, that the NDP would broaden the tax. The party's strategy for the carbon tax was released as part of a larger fiscal plan, unveiled today. The Tyee's report on that plan is here.

"The (party's) commitment to broaden the carbon tax is an important step in making the carbon tax more fair and effective. This policy would close a significant loophole that currently gives the oil and gas sector a free pass on $100 million of the carbon tax they should be paying," Horne stated.

All four major parties have now put their plans for the carbon tax on the record.

The provincial Green Party would gradually increase the carbon tax to $50 per ton of greenhouse gas emissions. BC Liberal Premier Christy Clark announced she would freeze B.C.'s carbon tax for at least five years. And the BC Conservative Party would eliminate the tax altogether.

The David Suzuki Foundation and the Better Future Fund recently released an advertisement, posted below, that encourages politicians to expand the carbon tax and follow other climate targets.

The Better Future Fund is comprised of the B.C. Sustainable Energy Association, Clean Energy Canada at Tides Canada, Organizing for Change and the Pembina Institute.

Meghan Mast is completing a practicum at The Tyee. Follow her on Twitter @mastmeghan.