Political climate fox
Re: Little gap for parties on climate, John Ivison, July 31 John Ivison suggests that the Trudeau government may have political cover to impose a carbon tax over the objections of several provinces because his government could “rebate the proceeds directly to the provinces where the taxes were raised.” While that may occur, it is not a given fact that a carbon tax will have any positive effect on the climate, nor will the rebate will end up in the pockets of those individuals who actually pay the extra tax at the pump. In fact, in a recent CBC interview, Environment Minister Catherine McKenna was unable (or unwilling) to answer that question when asked twice on the subject.
Granted, a carbon tax will affect everyone in that the tax will be included in multiple everyday purchases, but those paying the additional tax won’t be guaranteed a return. Like most Liberal rebate tax schemes, it will be “income tested” with the money going to lower income individuals in another “votebuying” political motivated boondoggle. I’m a little disappointed that mainstream media isn’t requiring the Trudeau government to be more precise on this issue. Ed Lacelle, Buckingham, Que. I am in no position to dispute the findings of reputable research and survey firms, in both Canada and the United States, concerning the public’s position on climate change. That said, I am troubled by the apparent disconnect between public opinion and political realities.
Just over a year ago, Donald Trump was elected President of the United States despite his avowed denial of climate change and his subsequent removal of the United States from the Paris Accord. More recently, Doug Ford won a significant mandate in Ontario on the basis of a program to scrap the Cap and Trade Agreement with Quebec and California. Significantly, his platform offered no alternative policy programs/objectives to combat climate change. In Alberta, the incumbent Premier, Rachel Notley, is in difficulty in large part because of her government’s climate change policies. Premier Gallant of New Brunswick, soon to face the electorate, is reportedly at odds with federal officials as to the appropriateness of the province’s climate change plans.
The only consistency that I have seen on the subject is that when the real costs of climate change are discussed, the public’s support for action cools. Robert Teskey, Ottawa