B.C. tax rebate cheques due out this week

There is a positive side to the looming carbon tax, which aims to persuade British Columbia residents to use less gasoline.

The B.C. government has agreed to offset higher gasoline prices at the pump by paying taxpayers in the form of a Climate Action Dividend -- available to every adult and child who was a resident of British Columbia on December 31, 2007.

This includes $100 to parents for each child who was under 18 at the end of 2007.

The cheques are starting to arrive in mail boxes across the province this week.

Despite that blanket eligibility, concerns are being raised that some people may not get their money.

However the provincial government insists everyone will eventually get paid.

"The vast majority of British Columbians are automatically registered through filing tax returns, through the Canada tax credit program and so it's going to be there for most British Columbians if not all British Columbians," said Rick Thorpe,  former Minister of Small Business and Revenue.

B.C. residents, who haven't received a cheque within the next few weeks, and think they are entitled to one, are advised to either call or check Online and the proper payments will be sent out.

B.C.'s New Democratic Party has responded to the looming carbon tax, by launching an 'axe the tax' campaign, saying any taxes should be paid by major polluters in the province's industrial sector.

With a report by CTV British Columbia's Julia Foy.