Real dialogue needed on GHG emissions
Where is the real dialogue in GHG emissions?
I was quite surprised by the recent partisan-style cartoon in the Citizen’s opinion section which painted Mr. Scheer as a dinosaur concerning his stance on carbon taxation.
Firstly, other than the consequential reduction in activity in the overall economy that comes from significant taxation, there is no evidence that carbon pricing works to reduce GHGs. B.C. has had carbon pricing for years and other than the economic downturn of 2009 there has been a steady and continual growth of carbon emissions (and considering the current heavy taxation of fossil fuel, the actual carbon tax is already in excess of $50 without a concurrent reduction of its use).
Nor did the promise of revenue neutral tax last. We can be sure that tax and spend type governments will eagerly put carbon tax dollars into general revenue, to the detriment of everyday working people; who, ironically, cannot afford electric cars, heat pumps and other GHG friendly technologies which would actually make a difference.
Instead of demonizing those who disagree with “progressive” principles of taxation why not create a dialogue that actually finds solutions without impoverishing the population?
Martin Barker
Duncan