In so many words.
Dion takes aim at oil industry
UPDATED: 2006-12-04 02:13:00 MST
New Liberal leader talks about revisiting tax system on first day steering party
By ALAN FINDLAY, NATIONAL BUREAU
MONTREAL -- Stephane Dion stepped straight into the political firestorm of taxing the oilpatch when he met with reporters for the first time as the Liberal Party of Canada's rookie leader.
The former environment minister said yesterday he wants to find a way to make Alberta's oil production more sustainable so it can continue to make "megatonnes of money" in the future.
"If we succeed in Fort McMurray to have sustainable development, we will succeed everywhere in the world," Dion said.
"Certainly it will mean revisiting the tax system, but not to put the money out of Alberta -- to help Alberta save their water, to save their development, to avoid acid rain, to reconcile agriculture and (the) oil industry."
The comments came after Dion pulled off a surprising win over favourites, Michael Ignatieff and Bob Rae.
His candidacy focused heavily on greening up the party's basic tenets of economic prosperity and social justice.
One specific proposal focuses on what is called an accelerated capital cost allowance for oilsands mines.
"In particular, the advantageous tax treatment oil and gas companies receive should be reviewed," his policy states.
"It is no longer clear that this special tax treatment is warranted given the boom in development, massive profits and rising price of all types of fossil fuels."
But Dion was dismissed by one analyst as nothing to worry about.
Peter Linder, who runs the Delta One Energy Fund in Calgary said Dion should not cause alarm in Alberta.
"I think it's much ado about nothing," the analyst said.
"I think this is more ... to garner votes, but most importantly, Harper is still in power the last time we looked."
UPDATED: 2006-12-04 02:13:00 MST
New Liberal leader talks about revisiting tax system on first day steering party
By ALAN FINDLAY, NATIONAL BUREAU
MONTREAL -- Stephane Dion stepped straight into the political firestorm of taxing the oilpatch when he met with reporters for the first time as the Liberal Party of Canada's rookie leader.
The former environment minister said yesterday he wants to find a way to make Alberta's oil production more sustainable so it can continue to make "megatonnes of money" in the future.
"If we succeed in Fort McMurray to have sustainable development, we will succeed everywhere in the world," Dion said.
"Certainly it will mean revisiting the tax system, but not to put the money out of Alberta -- to help Alberta save their water, to save their development, to avoid acid rain, to reconcile agriculture and (the) oil industry."
The comments came after Dion pulled off a surprising win over favourites, Michael Ignatieff and Bob Rae.
His candidacy focused heavily on greening up the party's basic tenets of economic prosperity and social justice.
One specific proposal focuses on what is called an accelerated capital cost allowance for oilsands mines.
"In particular, the advantageous tax treatment oil and gas companies receive should be reviewed," his policy states.
"It is no longer clear that this special tax treatment is warranted given the boom in development, massive profits and rising price of all types of fossil fuels."
But Dion was dismissed by one analyst as nothing to worry about.
Peter Linder, who runs the Delta One Energy Fund in Calgary said Dion should not cause alarm in Alberta.
"I think it's much ado about nothing," the analyst said.
"I think this is more ... to garner votes, but most importantly, Harper is still in power the last time we looked."
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