On paper, it sounds like something a BC NDP government would support: A financial penalty against dirty American coal being shipped across the border for export out of Delta’s port as a measure to push back against U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat of tariffs.

But twice now, New Democrats have balked at the idea. Instead of finding creative ways to craft the penalties, they’ve found creative excuses not to act.

The latest was in the legislature Monday, after BC Conservative Leader John Rustad proposed applying the provincial carbon tax to the 18 million tonnes of annual American thermal coal (the kind burned for heat and electricity), and then holding the money until Trump gives way on softwood lumber tariffs.

“Vancouver is providing a service in terms of shipping thermal coal,” said Rustad. “We don't use thermal coal. It's an opportunity for us to look at it from a perspective of some leverage, to be able to try to get a deal done on softwood lumber.”

It’s a modified pitch from the one then-BC Liberal premier Christy........

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