Statistics on carbon tax called ‘magic’

Re: “Data doesn’t support Kenney,” May 16 Denis Hoffman uses the magic of statistics and averages to make his point about the benefits of the carbon tax. For example he estimates the carbon tax will only cost $13.65 for a cold winter month for an average sized house. Well Mr. Hoffman, I’m still waiting for my $13.65 cold winter month. My house is average, it is not old and according to the City of Medicine Hat’s Thermal Imaging project, my house has a low heat loss rate.

The carbon taxes I paid on natural gas with the corresponding tax rate are as follows: January: $22.31 (58 per cent tax), February $31.95 (77.4 per cent tax) March $25.34 (72.77 per cent tax).

Mr. Hoffman, these are not statistics or averages, they are actual taxes collected by the NDP government.

Here are some more numbers for you to consider, the City of Medicine Hat has set the May rate for natural gas at $0.7960/GJ and the NDP carbon tax on that gas is set at $1.5170/GJ. Yes, the carbon tax will cost almost double the amount of the product, a 190 per cent tax to heat a home in the northern climate of Canada! This is a bargain, just wait until Justin Trudeau increases the tax to $50/tonne, from the current $30/tonne.

Enjoy playing with your calculator and statistics, Mr. Hoffman. I will enjoy seeing the NDP MLAs on the unemployment line next spring.

Mike Somerville Medicine Hat