Tweet
Harper calls for national carbon tax
Juliet O'Neill, Canwest News Service
OTTAWA -- Prime Minister Stephen Harper, in spite of his earlier comments, has embraced the idea of a national consumer-based carbon tax as part of a way to address concerns about Canada's current environmental policy.
"The statistics consistantly show that Canadians are the top energy users per capita in the entire world. This policy will encourage Canadians to use less energy, and direct their use to more environmentally friendly products."
Previous concerns over the economic impact, particularly in Alberta were brushed aside.
"The policy, of course will have to be revenue neutral where the carbon taxes collected will be offset by continued tax cuts and credits. We promise to continue our aggressive approach to lowering the overall tax burden on Canadians, and this is just one tool to achieve this goal. By shifting taxes to consumption, it will reward those willing to conserve, who will see their taxes go down."
The policy is believed to be similar to the recent policy announced in BC, where carbon taxes collected on gas, propane and other fossil fuels are returned to corporations and individuals through income tax cuts and credits.
Harper went on to praise the leadership of Gordon Campbell.
"With this kind of leadership, B.C. may be on track to do for climate change what Alberta did for the tar sands.," he said. "It's only right that we carry on this enlightened policy to the entire nation."
You can find it Here
Juliet O'Neill, Canwest News Service
OTTAWA -- Prime Minister Stephen Harper, in spite of his earlier comments, has embraced the idea of a national consumer-based carbon tax as part of a way to address concerns about Canada's current environmental policy.
"The statistics consistantly show that Canadians are the top energy users per capita in the entire world. This policy will encourage Canadians to use less energy, and direct their use to more environmentally friendly products."
Previous concerns over the economic impact, particularly in Alberta were brushed aside.
"The policy, of course will have to be revenue neutral where the carbon taxes collected will be offset by continued tax cuts and credits. We promise to continue our aggressive approach to lowering the overall tax burden on Canadians, and this is just one tool to achieve this goal. By shifting taxes to consumption, it will reward those willing to conserve, who will see their taxes go down."
The policy is believed to be similar to the recent policy announced in BC, where carbon taxes collected on gas, propane and other fossil fuels are returned to corporations and individuals through income tax cuts and credits.
Harper went on to praise the leadership of Gordon Campbell.
"With this kind of leadership, B.C. may be on track to do for climate change what Alberta did for the tar sands.," he said. "It's only right that we carry on this enlightened policy to the entire nation."
You can find it Here
Comment