WHISTLER (NEWS1130) – Delegates at the BC Liberal Convention in Whistler have voted against scrapping the carbon tax.

The resolution was one of about a dozen that were debated today.

“I think the carbon tax is an inflationary tax and I don’t object to paying the extra seven cents for gas for driving, but the problem is so does every truck that delivers goods to our stores,” argued one delegate.

“What our carbon tax does is it shifts the burden of taxation from what we know is good — income — to what is probably bad — carbon,” argued another. “If you don’t believe me, take it from commie socialist publications like the the Wall Street Journal and the Economist, both of whom have praised BC’s carbon tax.”

The party spent a lot of time discussing labour issues, such as a resolution that called for public school teachers to be able to opt out of the BC Teachers’ Federation. The motion was soundly defeated, but Maurine Karagianis, who is in Whistler to keep an eye on the convention for the BC NDP, is concerned about the message it sends.

“I don’t think it’s a time for the government to narrow in on unions and say ‘We’re about families first but not necessarily union families,’” says Karagianis.

One delegate said passing the motion would be like pouring gas on a fire.

Delegates voted in favour of a motion that prevents unions from using mandatory union dues for political purposes.

None of the resolutions that were discussed this weekend are binding.

Delegates also heard from Stephen Carter, the architect of Alberta Premier Alison Redford‘s campaign in the last provincial election. Most polls suggested Redford was going to lose but she cruised to a solid majority government.

Members of the media weren’t allowed to watch the speech because it was part of a closed strategy session.

The Liberals have faced serious challenges to their free enterprise coalition from the BC Conservatives, but the Liberals have been expressing more confidence lately as the provincial Tories spend time feuding among themselves.

“Free enterprise” is a something you can expect to hear a lot of between now and the May election.

In her opening address, Premier Christy Clark asked, “Do you want to be part of building a free enterprise coalition in British Columbia? Do you want to be part of creating a thriving private sector in our province? Yes!”

Clark will close the convention with her keynote address this evening.

Clark is expected to continue her attempt to paint herself as the only business-friendly candidate who has a shot at winning the May election when she delivers her keynote address this afternoon.