Sometimes you just have to wonder what goes through a politician’s head (I was one for a couple of terms on Langley Township Council but I can assure you: I don’t understand the thought processes of some of our elected representatives).

The provincial government, practically breaking its arm to pat itself on the back, released its 2012 carbon neutral government report, which outlines the millions of dollars it forced school districts, universities, colleges and health authorities to divert from frontline services to overpay for carbon credits from the loathsome Pacific Carbon Trust.

The amounts paid by these schools and hospitals turns the stomach. One example: Surrey School District paid $523,125 (plus GST!) for its greenhouse gas emissions. Most would agree that this would be money better spent in Surrey’s burgeoning classrooms. Certainly, I thought most Surrey school trustees would agree.

Then I read this comment about a Pacific Carbon Trust committee, highlighted in the same report, from Surrey School Trustee (and School Board Chairman) Shawn Wilson:

“Broad representation on the Carbon Offset Advisory Panel will help ensure that offsets purchased for carbon neutral government not only meet the Province’s world class carbon regulations, but also support jobs, new innovation in clean technologies, and other important co-benefits in every region of the province.”

Oh, Shawn. Seriously? Letting your name get attached to this utter nonsense? It’s one thing to get roped into sitting on this panel, but to endorse the practice? I wonder what Surrey voters will think…

Let me help Shawn out with the correct answer:

"The taxpayers of British Columbia, and the students of Surrey schools, should not be held hostage by some ridiculous corporate welfare scheme, contributing half a million bucks every year to some of the largest companies in B.C. Leave the money in our classrooms."