The worst of both worlds

In his support of a better way for carbon taxation, Mr. Coyne neglects to mention what a good many opponents know; any action by Canada — at $200 (why not $500) per tonne — would have virtually no impact on the state of the world’s carbon footprint. We’re a rounding error.

Moreover, even if a tangible amount of the taxes were rebated to citizens to offset their impact, how long would it be before free-spending, cash-hungry governments decide to claw back the proceeds? This is exactly what is occurring in B.C. at this moment. If he thinks we have the worst of both worlds now, just wait for what we’d be in for. Coyne hit the nail on the head when he commented: “We have, in short, the worst of both worlds, saddled with (climate change) programs that won’t work but will cause maximum public aggravation.”

The root problem is that the Liberals are blinkered by their laserlike support of traditional, carbon-intensive economic growth while talking unconvincingly about climate action.

Federal environment minister Catherine McKenna lacks a vision of a truly low-carbon economy and society. As a result she is unable to present to Canadians a coherent plan of practical programs to achieve our greenhouse gas reduction goals.

While Canada is a minor contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions nevertheless we could be contributing to real action by China, the United States, and India if we weren’t so two-faced.