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CTV News | Suzuki slams NDP, Tories, backs Dion's carbon tax

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Home : Politics : Suzuki slams NDP, Tories, backs Dion's carbon tax

Suzuki slams NDP, Tories, backs Dion's carbon tax

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CTV's Question Period: David Suzuki slams parties
CTV's Question Period: Environment Minister John Baird
CTV's Question Period: David McGuinty, Liberal MP; Rick Dykstra, Conservative and Peggy Nash of the NDP

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CTV.ca News Staff

Date: Sun. May. 18 2008 10:48 PM ET

Famed environmentalist David Suzuki has strongly backed Liberal leader Stephane Dion's emerging carbon tax plan and slammed the NDP and Conservatives.

After hearing the NDP's criticism of Dion's plan, Suzuki said: "I'm really shocked with the NDP with this. I thought that they had a very progressive environmental outlook."

"To oppose (the carbon tax plan), its just nonsense. It's certainly the way we got to go," he said Sunday on CTV's Question Period.

While Dion has not fully revealed his plan, this week he said that he is proposing a revenue-neutral carbon tax, where the carbon tax is paired with a reduction in other taxes.

"Instead of taxing things we want more of, like income ... we shift taxes to things we don't want, like greenhouse gases," Liberal environment critic David McGuinty explained on Question Period, while stressing the plan is not yet finalized.

NDP MP Peggy Nash said the NDP's environment plan is not revenue neutral. She said her party wants a system where polluters pay and the money is put into "green solutions."

Environment Minister John Baird told Question Period that Dion's plan was "made on Bay Street" and is actually supported by big business and polluters.

"Mr. Dion wants to give some kind of licence to pollute and simply allow big business to buy their way out of this problem," Baird said.

Baird touted the Conservatives' environmental plan, saying that the Harper government would force big business into polluting less.

"Our plan we deliver an absolute 20 per cent reduction by 2020," he said.

However, the Tories plan uses 2006 as the baseline year, which Baird failed to mention. The world generally uses 1990, the Kyoto Protocol's baseline.

Most environmental groups have slammed the Conservatives' environmental plan as ineffectual and say even if it works, it would still result in emissions that are eight per cent above Canada's 2012 Kyoto target.

They also say the Tory plan relies on intensity targets, not absolute ones. Intensity targets mean that businesses must cut the amount of carbon that goes into each unit of production. However, that means total emissions could go up if output increased substantially.

Suzuki criticized Baird's leadership, saying that the minister was working against and not with environmentalists.

Suzuki also said Ottawa politicians in general are too focused on the next election and not thinking of the future.

"Thank goodness for the United States or we'd be dead last (in the environment)," he said. "Let's get on with hard targets and thinking more about what we are leaving our children and grandchildren."

Suzuki mentioned that Swedes pay about carbon tax of $150 a tonne, while British Columbians are "yelling and screaming over a $10 tax."

B.C introduced a carbon tax in February.

Comments are now closed for this story

Riley W
said

Why doesn't Suzuki mind his own business?

I don't know about others but I find this man totally irrelevant and frankly annoying.

I'm in rural Canada, and must drive 1 hour to get to the nearest city. A carbon tax is way unfair to those who don't live in urban Canada. Besides our gas prices are high enough. The poll the other day showed 57% of Canadians want the gas tax reduced even if it results in a deficit. What is Dion not getting? We don't want higher prices.

The Liberals are gonna have electoral disaster over this. The Tories can't be painted as "for big oil and big gas", because the NDP is with the Tories here. The Libs will be pounded from both sides of the spectrum, and Canadians won't be over enthused for even higher gas prices.

Thank you Dion! Hand the Conservative a majority will ya!


...
said

Context: Regulating Industry vs. Carbon Tax.

Regulating Industry will cost taxpayers a lot of money (loss of government funding due to labour for regulating the industry). Result: More taxes.

Carbon Tax will cost the government a lot of money (loss of citizenry interest in buying carbon fuels). Result: More taxes (but less than with regulating industry).


May
said

Many Canadian journalists have been lamenting Stephane Dion’s carbon tax as “good policy but bad politics;” the basic thesis being that carbon tax is a good idea but Canadians will never understand it enough to accept it. In respect to the idea that a carbon tax is good policy; I strongly disagree.

If a carbon tax sounds like a bad idea, that’s because it is. This is not; as the Tories claim; simply an extra 50 cent per litre gas tax. It’s far worse then that. It’s a tax on gasoline and propane and natural gas and electricity and other forms of energy like coal and wood; all of which produce “carbon gas.” It’s a tax on energy. It’s a tax on cars and homes and businesses, on the poor and the rich and mostly on the middle class. Food prices that are already skyrocketing would shoot into the stratosphere. Thousands would suddenly be unable to afford heating their homes. Cars would be un-drivable. The housing and auto markets would plummet: few people would be buying homes because few could afford to heat them. Few would be driving cars because it would be too expensive. Most would barely afford to commute to work; many would be unable to do so. Road trips would be a luxury for the rich and tourism would suffer immensely (both internal and cross border). The Airplane industry would collapse as no one but the very rich would be able to buy tickets. The rising food, home and commute prices would hit the poor hardest, also seniors on fixed income. Young families and those just starting a career would also be severely affected. Small business would go bankrupt and only large chains would survive; even they would suffer. More and more middle class Canadians would find themselves struggling and thrown into poverty; straining an already overburdened social security net to the breaking point. This would have a multiplier effect as time goes on; forcing higher taxes on the shrinking middle class to pay for the services for the growing poor. This would drive more and more of the beleaguered middle class into poverty. All this coupled with the trying times we already live in would result in economic recession and protests in the streets from the growing population of angry, homeless poor. All that without even really helping the environment.

This is one of the rare issues that the Tories and Dippers agree on. When Stephen Harper and Jack Layton both agree that something is a stupid idea; it’s a stupid idea.

Despite this Dion thinks Canadians are “ready” for carbon tax and has made it the main (only) plank in his platform. Details, of course, have not been made public. All we have been told is that we will have a carbon tax that Canadians don’t understand right now; but once Dion explains how good it is for Canada we will cheerfully accept our environmental destiny and elect him to power.

I understand all too well. Stephane Dion has truly lost his mind.



Jeremy
said

Mr. Suzuki.. you've lost your touch. You have been representing the environmentalist groups for a long time, and thus, you've lost your capacity to capture peoples attention. We need someone new with fresh ideas to push the green agenda.


Stanley
said

Uh, oh. The kiss of death for the NDP and the Conservatives.


Shawn
said

Mr. Suzuki is absolutely right. It has been years now since both environmentalists AND economists have been campaigning for such a carbon tax, as it is the most effective and equitable mechanism for attacking greenhouse gas emissions while simultaneously furthering economic growth. Nor is it as "complex" and convoluted as some critics claim: if something (an action or product) has an environmental cost, it should have a financial one as well; it becomes PROFITABLE, both for businesses and individuals, to do the right thing. What could be simpler?

The NDP is completely off here, and Mr. Suzuki is right to single them out. Their "we hate big business" and populist ideology has gotten in the way of their environmental conscience. Taxing only the large emitters as they want to will not only damage the economy by not providing a level playing field, but will COMPLETELY IGNORE the fact that a huge part of our emissions comes from individual behaviour (like in Quebec, where 40% comes from transport.)Layton is just like Hillary Clinton and John McCain when he panders to voters about "gas-pump gouging" while then opposing this carbon tax. It's an utter lack of leadership on the NDP's part.

As for the Tories, they have long since undermined any credibility they could have hoped to have on the environment. They're disingenuous obstructionists and liars, who care more for maintaining power and attacking their opponents than doing the slightest thing about climate change.




Khai
said

The NDP have lost complete relevance in modern Canada when they are married to party ideology at the expense of supporting truly progressive environmental measures. No wonder the Greens look like they are about to supplant them. When the NDP can't get on board with David Suzuki, they are finished in my books.


Greg in the Hammer
said

Since when has the Liberal Party of Canada introduced any tax that was revenue neutral? The cat is already out of the bag on this one. They had already let slip that their carbon taxs would generate 17 billion in taxes while they would be willing to offset only 13 billion in other taxes. I'm no mathmetician but thats not neutral.

While we're at it can we PLEASE forget about Kyoto. It was never realistic when it was signed, was never going to be attained, but made the Liberals feel good about themselves for signing it. It is a plan to pay guilt money from developed countries to the third world in return for them NOT using their own natural resources to further their economies and at the same time lock them into buying new technologies from the developed world that they can't afford, keeping them poor. Its a joke. Period.

Many may not like the Conservatives plan but at least its realistic and honest in its expectations.

Instead of punishing people for heating their homes, getting to work in their cars, transporting the goods we need to live, how about we invest in new technologies that allow us to do these things while reducing our carbon footprint.

Lets invest in our infrastructure and make real inroads on public transit to make it viable for more people. Wind, solar, hydroelectric, nuclear are all areas where we can reduce our carbon footprint.

Taxing Canadians into destitution is not the answer.

David Suzuki is not the be all end all with respect to the environment. He's not a climatologist, he speaks for the very edge of the environmental movement in my opinion.




stephen D
said

|We DO NOT need more taxes on anything. Current surpluses already represent over taxation. The Market place is much more effecient at changing consumer behaviour than any government action. The current price of oil is quite sufficient to cause changes over time. Creating hardship and poverty by taxing heating in a cold country is absurd.


Suzuki lacks the credentials to comment..
said

David Suzuki is just the poster boy for environmental activists who are politically motivated.

David Suzuki is NOT a qualified professional to discuss climate change (formerly known as Global Warming). David Suzuki has a PhD in ZOOLOGY not in climatology. Numerous times David Suzuki has been publicly challenged to a debate on Global Warming and each time he refused to engage well known climatologists.

He lacks the credentials necessary to weigh in on this serious subject.


alex sz
said

What a joke. The only people who will suffer are the lower and middle income. Slapping a tax on heating your home... hum.... What a farse. Can I suggest something to the David Suzuki's of the world? Please, come up with a solution of transport and heating ones home that leaves little or no footprint. Taxing people and redistributing wealth is the STUPIDIEST idea next to Kyoto. Wealth shifting is NOT THE SOLUTION. Creating technology that will be carbon neutral or better is....


Josh in Ontario
said

A 20% reduction in GHGs over the next 13 years made into LAW and regulated by the gov is far from a lax environmental plan. What’s wrong with regulating polluters and increasing car emission/fuel standards? Oh wait, there is no TAX involved and therefore the lefties are against it. Taxes will not guarantee that we emit less, our pocket books end bank accounts end up suffering though. Making reductions into law WILL guarantee real progress. The conservatives have done more on the environment than the liberals ever did. The libs promised that they would reduce emissions when they signed Kyoto and they did absolutely NOTHING. They did not pass one law, create a single regulation, or even tax polluters. While the liberals were in power emissions increased by 13%, more than in the US during the same time period. They are huge hypocrites. Too bad the article didn’t mention that.


greg m
said

please no more taxes. we already pay huge 'carbon taxes' included in the price of a litre gas


Kevin Aubie
said

Those who fully understand this problem know Dr Suzuki is absolutely right. It's a well established fact that this is the only way to effectively reduce GG emissions. How could anyone in their right mind believe John Baird, conservative minister in a party with only one priority, expansion of the tar sands regardless of all environmental costs or world opinion. The PCs are absolutely shameful when it comes to environmental protection.


Jim
said

Thats typical enviro extremist rhetoric.

A carbon tax will reduce GHG how? All it does is raise the cost of goods and services causing an inflation increase, an interest rate increase, a stifling of the economy.

A carbon tax does not address new technology. It just lets poluters continue on, they just pay a little more.

Lets try new innovations such as clean coal, smart cars, fuel efficiency and reward those who move that direction, not make it cost prohibitive for consumers.

Suzuki has no credibilty. He is politically partisan. His answer is always the same.


Dee
said

This is a start. But considering so many out there still won't accept that global warming is even happening, they'll view this with some conspiracy-like skepticism. They rely on the lies spread by energy industry-funded "scientists" who come up with ludicrous "explanations" and these people parrot the explanations without the first clue about climate science. Most don't even understand the difference between weather and climate. They look out and say 'oh, it's snowing in May...global warming is a hoax." It only goes to prove their ignorance.

Changes need to be made and they need to happen fast. We need to make those changes and be a model for developing nations. If we can use the funds form a carbon tax to develop 5 or 10 megawatt turbines, developing nations would jump at the chance to use them to generate electricity. If we develop a marketable hydrogen car, the third world would jump at the chance. Time for everyone to stop whining about what China or India is doing and start in their own backyard. We use 5 times the energy they do per person. When you cut back on your own personal use by 80% then maybe you can complain.

If we don't change now, the climate is gonna do it for us.


Chrystal Ocean
said

One more nail in the coffin of the NDP. Led by flimflam man Jack Layton, they continue losing credibility as they say anything to distance themselves from the other parties, particularly the Liberals. They do this even at the expense of their Party's own foundational principles.

A carbon tax is the right way to go. Good on Dion for having the guts to put such a plan forward.

Mr. Dion, don't disappoint. Make the plan meaningful.


Ian
said

I agree whole heartedly with this plan. It does not mean higher prices to the end user,the taxpayer but it does put a tax on the big companies that are doing most of the damage. Don't fall for this rhetoric that gas will go sky high because of this plan, that is controlled by OPEC and there will not be further taxes at the pump but rather on the huge oil companies that are doing the damage and reaping staggering profits. Don't bite like the conservatives want you to do, this is by far a better plan than they have come up with. Like it or not we better start doing something before so much damage is done we can't FIX it.


Matthew
said

While I question the need for a carbon tax with the prices shooting so high which only increases the amount of tax revenue the government already gets it should really be pointed out that the plan is for a "revenue neutral" tax where although there will be an increase in money paid at the pumps, people will receive money back from the government elsewhere through income tax breaks or such.


BC resident P***ed off about more taxes
said

Who pays for the fuel to heat Stephane Dion's
residence?
Who pays for the fuel to transport Mr. Dion to and from?

Let Mr. Dion put out of his personal income for such, and see first hand why the average person rejects further taxes, in any name sake.

We need more progressive and innovative answers than just "tax the masses".

Mr. Dion, Mr. Suzuki
and, the BC provincial Liberals, are all exhibiting a "Hands in your pocket" level of mentality towards solving such huge issues.







Sean
said

The only solution is to make helping the environment convenient. That is the only way people will get on board. Canada needs to take its billions in surplus every year and put it directly into environmental initiatives. If technology advances enough, we can fix our environmental problems, but green technology must be heavily funded, which can potentially also boost the economy. Then Canada can take a leadership role among industrial nations.


Jason W
said

No surprises here. Baird's only talent is turning red and yelling and the NDP is doing everything it can too look relevant and failing at every turn. They are both savagely attacking the liberals plan because it will actually work, meaning the cons oil friends will be in trouble and the NDP looks even less relevant if thats possible. The liberals strong point has always been policy that actually works.


Mark Aubere Morissey
said

Riley W. you need a serious reality check before you make more comments about the relevancy of David Suzuki or carbon tax.
I will take a revenue-neutral carbon tax over anything the NDP or, Gog-forbid, the Conservatives can come up with.
No, I am not a Liberal; I am sceptical of all politicians.


WH
said

Read my lips....I don't want any new taxes. Wherever Stepane Dion got his info, it was certainly not from the common working Canadian, who, by the way, are the majority. I'm still peeved about the "temporary" GST imposed during the tenure of "His Lordship Chretien"


JDP
said

Oddly enough, people who don't want to pay the carbon tax could be jailed, another one of Suzuki's aims (jailing all dissenters who do not agree with him). So-called "environmentalism" is just another way to bleed the consumer and taxpayer out of billions of hard earned dollars.

Dion had been for months and months saying "no carbon tax." Now he wants one. Don't complain about a Conservative 'hidden agenda' anymore.

And in other news, it is discovered that Dion would not even approach this idea of a carbon tax if Ontario and Quebec were major resource economies, or if Alberta was the bulk of Liberal support in Canada. As a proud Albertan, I sincerely hope these Liberals never again attain power, as they have a knack for punishing Albertans for not voting Liberal (especially when we are faring well financially). This tax has NOTHING to do with the environment, and all about LIBERAL POWER.

Sickening.


Hank
said

Mr. Suzuki is right, as many a time before. Mr. Dion has a good point with his carbon tax and it can certainly contribute to saving the environment for future generations.


Northern Menace
said

My guess is that Mr. Suzuki only opens his pie hole to get donations for the David Suzuki foundation.

I recall years ago Mr. Suzuki complaining about the Rafferty Alameda dam project in southern Saskatchewan and how it would damage the Rafferty and Alameda Rivers. Only problem was it was the Souris River. A lack of knowledge was never a barrier to Mr. Suzuki spouting his mouth off.


Eric Gisin
said

With oil at $750 a ton and rising, CO2 taxes of $10 have no effect.

We can never meet kyoto because of Alberta's oil sands growth. The feds have to take over the province right to regulate whenever international treaties are involved.


Jeff C
said

I am tired of hearing Suzuki and the left leaning media push this load of hooey on us. Canadians do not need more taxes. I am unconcerned about the Polar Bears and Mr Suzuki's claim that we "have to do it for our children" is itself childish. I worry about the future my kids have with these foolish environmentalists and politicians guiding the way.

We do need clean air and water and taxing CO2 will do little more than pressure our economy negatively. It will do nothing to slow "global-warming".

How about some real leadership? Lets start looking for the ultimate replacement to fossil fuels. It will take decades to achieve and the time to get going on it is now, before oil and natural gas deposits are depleted.


Sticking to the facts
said

Who cares what Suzuki thinks? I listen to the experts on this matter. Germany's Institute of Marine Scientists is now telling us that we are going into a 10 year cooling period. Why is this even a story?


Peter in B.C.
said

I live in B.C. and we have a carbon tax. It is the most insane proposition brought forth by the provincial government and in the end, we have Suzuki to thank for it. He claims that it is a $10 tax when in reality, our gas price (one of the highest in the country) will be taxed at 2.4 cents per litre and will eventually go up to 7.3 cents per litre by 2012. The estimates for a prius hybrid are about $20 more per year on fuel whereas a pickup is estimated at approximately $68 per year. The argument can be made that I should give up my pickup, but as a contractor/carpenter, my truck is essential to the operation of my company. So for Suzuki to quote the B.C. tax as a modest $10 tax shows lack of credibility towards him when he cannot even get the numbers right. Why on earth B.C. stands behind everything Suzuki says is beyond me. When it came to provincial governments, B.C. is the only one to stake and interest in a carbon tax. And to the people of B.C.? Grow a backbone and stand up for your money! If Suzuki were a true environmentalist, he'd initiate the Zero Emissions Mandate that California had. What better way to reduce the carbon footprint than run electric vehicles? Hydrogen fuel cells are 3X more costly to the environment than people think and with today's battery technology, ZEV can travel almost 5x the distance of those that were introduced in California.

Suzuki needs to mind his own business and learn that he has no business in dictating how our government works. Everyone is entitled to an opinion, but as a citizen of Canada, how the government of Canada runs is none of his business.

Frankly I've had enough of him and his mouth. And I want to thank him for helping tax B.C. into becoming the highest taxed province/state in all of North America.




Anne F.
said

It does mean higher prices for the end user. The big companies will pass the tax on in the form of higher overall prices. Yes, iagree we must reduce GHG but it needs to be absolutely clear to everyone that it is going to come out of your wallet one way or another. Revenue neutral is a handy political catch phrase that has been used too many times. The plan isn't finished yet and already the Liberal MPs that have been interviewed on CTV can't give a coherent explanation of where it is going. There need to be more incentives tolp the poorest and most vulnerable of our citizens from bearing the brunt of any plan. Let's hope Dion can articulate this thing clearly or it will crash and burn.


H.L. Atkinson
said

CO2 currently makes up approximately .03% of atmospheric air. Wake up people, if we want to feed the people of this planet, a little more carbon dioxide is a benefit. Dr. Suzuki is is not correct when he states a carbon tax is what is needed... We have all paid enough tax, and unfortunately, governments are professionals at mismanaging everything. Climate change is normal, folks. Sea levels have not always been where they are now. Historical CO2 levels were much higher prior to the ice ages (when humans were not around). Where the Columbia Ice Field in Alberta is now, there was once an ancient forest. Lets all tell the nay sayers to shut up... we need co2 to help us feed the global population. A little warming will increase aerable land in this country and benefit us. All panickers can get off at the next stop.


j.j.
said

Who died and voted for Suzuki and his self serving opinions backed by his rich friends anyways??????


Mark M
said

Canada produces less than 2% of green house gases yet Dion and his happy tax liberals want to put me in the poor house??? The Canadian voters better wake up! Why are we even listening to Dion, he hasn't even put his plan forward again.

Hopefully when he does this Harper will get his majority and a few more winters like the last one should change Canadians mind on climate change. Sheeesh, enough is enough!!!!

Bern
said

You know, any argument blasting Suzuki for his environmental qualifications and policies and then in the same breath praising the Conservatives NON-policy is absolutely ludicrous!

cici
said

The NDP has a great environmental plan. Cap and Trade is just one important component. It will have the greatest impact in terms of reducing green house gas. They have long been vocal advocates for public transit, development of alternative energy sources, green building standards, green affordable housing.

The NDP and Layton are not johnny come lately environmentalists like the Liberals or the missing in action Harper conservatives.

In deference to Dr. Suzuki - it will be more sustainable for Canadians if instead of taxing dirty energy, government find a way to make clean energy cheaper. A cap and trade system will help us to do start doing that.



A. MacAlister
said

Suzuki has the luxury of saying whatever he likes. Tomorrow he may say that Jack Layton is wrong for not asking people heat their homes by microwaving little cups of water. That's because at the end of the day, Suzuki doesn't have to worry about governing the country -- and by continuing to call for even higher fuel and home heating taxes, neither does Mr Dion.

Governing means suggesting practical solutions. Layton has offered plenty.


Anticonformity
said

Newflash to Suzuki: The carbon tax does absolutely nothing to help the environment. It simply allows the rich polluters to continue to pollute away by simply buying 'credits' from those outfits who don't pollute as much.

Shawn
said

Just think of all the emmissions that we won't emit when no one can afford to afford to go anywhere or heat there homes. Good plan.

I don't know about everywhere else but where I am, the gas company has applied to raise rates by 20%. Canadians are being priced right out of their homes.

I am all for doing what is necassary to protect our environment but like everything in the market today, green technology needs to be competive with other products or it won't work. There is a reason private sector has not done much.

By the way, for all of those who think the windmills are such a great idea, take a look at all of the dead ducks/birds at the bottom. Don't complain about trailing ponds until you do.


Denise
said

How about this? We take the Deficit Tax on gas that was implemented by Chretien's government (which is totally unnecessary now as we no longer run deficits), change the name to "Carbon Tax", and redirect the revenue to cover costs of programs that the Suzuki-ites want. Result? We don't have another cash-grab tax gobbling up more of our money, and the programs are still paid for!


Mike
said

Like many here, I've had enough of David Suzuki. I really don't think he has a clue what it's like to live in the extreme conditions that most of Canada experiences. Vancouver tends to be, on the whole, a lot warmer during winter months than most of Canada. Try heating your home with solar energy when there's only 8 hours of daylight!

Public transit isn't available to a large percentage of our country, and even if it's available, it's still limited by schedules. The argument that people should move closer to where they work isn't realistic either - say you work in a coffee shop in the Forest Hills area of Toronto - should you then try purchasing a 3 million dollar house on that salary?

Lonni
said

First, I need to see how Kevin Aubie can declare "It's a well established fact that this is the only way to effectively reduce GG emissions", when the usage of gasoline (a major GHG fuel apparently) is increasing even with the substancial increase in price. In this case, it is well established fact that increasing costs (similar as taxes) on GHG has ZERO effect on minimizing the use of GHG.

Also, Eric Gisin should realise his comments are against the Constitution, something that I thought the Liberal and NDP hold most dear to their hearts. Or are only some parts of the Constitution to be followed, and others violated? I can say with certainty, if anything close to an NEP II was brought about, Canada won't have to worry about Alberta's oilsands. They will be in a separate country from Canada, along with the $19 billion Alberta sent to Ottawa in taxes that was spent elsewhere in Canada.


Jonathan
said

A carbon tax isn't just a tax on fuel and energy, it's a tax on life. EVERYTHING we consume requires energy to produce, and the vast majority of energy in this country is fueled by dead dinosaurs. EVERYTHING we consume has to get where we buy it by either train or truck, and with fuel expected to rise over $1.50/L in the next month or two transportation costs are spiraling out of control as it is.
This is an extra tax on production and transportation of basic necessities of life regardless of your income level, and thus paid for dearly by those who can least afford it, and mostly by the middle class.
The worst part is it does not require anything from the biggest polluters except a cheque, and will do nothing to actually reduce ghg's. Requiring limits on emissions will. Requiring fuel efficient vehicles will. Producing more energy form nuclear plants. Why do Dion and the Liberals oppose these things?


Jay
said

Our Liberals are feeling out Liberaled by Obama down south and they need to prove just how progressive they are... My whole family is in trouble with bills and we will vote for Stephen Harper ASAP.

JS
said

If David Suzuki is so concerned about greenhouse gas emitions, he should go after the BC government to do something with all the dead trees caused by the pine beetle. Those trees are contributing more CO2 than all the cars, trucks, planes, buses, trains, etc. in ALL of Canada put together.

If you take ALL the gas powered vehicles off the road in North America, the total CO2 emitions would be reduced by less than 1 percent.

A tax is a tax is a tax is a tax. How will a carbon tax reduce Canada's GHG emissions? Dion had said Canada would make "megatonnes of money" by cutting "megatonnes of emissions." Can he explain how, exactly? Dion says a carbon tax will be "revenue neutral." For whom? For me? If so, will he guarantee me that I will pay no more in total federal taxes than I do today, after the imposition of his "revenue neutral" carbon tax.How much of this tax is going to be spent on reducing Canada's GHG emissions and by how much, or will he be sending money to developing countries like China and India in hopes of reducing their emissions? Will he use money from this tax to buy hot air credits from Russia, which has lots to sell under the Kyoto accord? Dion has to answer these and lots of other questions before he gets my vote. This carbon tax coming from a guy who was pushing Kyoto when it first came out and did NOTHING after it was signed.He just didn't get it done then and now he wants my support for this. On second thought, let me think about it NO!!!!!!


Tori
said

I can so see the Canadian economy dropping like a large stone in a lake. We as middle class citizens of Canada can not afford to pay any more taxes. We are taxed approximately 35% on income, 35% on gas, 5 - 15% on food, clothing and essentials and that is dependat upon which area of the country you live in. If you own a home you pay on average 3 - 4 thousand a year on taxes. There goes another 300 a month.
For every 1000.00 a Canadian earns over 600 goes to taxes and now they want to add carbon tax on top of the rest.
Time to go on welfare, at least your 1000 a month is yours. You don't make enough to pay income tax so that saves 350.00 a month. You don't pay medicare, that saves 88.00 a month per family. You don't pay for your dental, or school supplies. You get an allowance for your apartment, no property tax to pay....
Sounds like welfare is the way to go....and where this country is heading fast.


d
said

Tax, tax, and more tax
Enough already! We're taxed way too much! Dirty thirties here we come!

Dane M
said

Already we are noticing that food prices are "spiraling upwards out of control" (those are recent media reports not my words) The main reason given - high cost of transportation and farm equipment operation due to record high Gas costs. Now Canada's resident Gore wannabe suggests we drive those costs even higher with a carbon tax. And as for Dion's revenue neutral ideal by lowering my income taxes (I remember the last Liberal promise to lower taxes - Chretin was going to get rid of the GST) - is he going to revenue neutral the price of a loaf of bread, 4 liters of milk, or a dozen eggs?


Rosebud in BC
said

The BC Carbon Tax and Mr. Dion's tax are said to be "revenue neutral". To me that means they take from the poor and it doesn't make any difference to the rich. Low income people for the most part do not pay income tax so how the heck is this tax going to be revenue neutral for the poor, lower middle class and seniors on fixed incomes. For those who earn enough to pay income tax, they will receive a tax deduction to lower their taxes payable, but since there is no relationship between how much gasoline you use or how warm you keep your home and the amount of tax you will pay there is no garantee you will get back what you paid out at the pumps. Some people will keep polluting by driving SUV's and live in large houses and not even notice they got a tax break. The cost of living for everyone is going to go up due to higher home heating costs and of course gasoline if they drive a car. And trust me if the city transit systems are going to be paying more for gas to run their buses, they will be increasing the cost of fares so even if you don't drive a car you are still going to be paying the tax. All business will pass along the increased cost and that will make all other commodities such as food, clothing and house hold goods more expensive. This tax would be just as "revenue neutral" as the GST, and we all know about that!

Don
said

WH:
"I'm still peeved about the "temporary" GST imposed during the tenure of "His Lordship Chretien"

This is a prime example of why Stephane Dion is going on his cross country tour to promote his idea of the carbon tax. Some of us need to get our heads out of our donkeys.

The GST was implemented by the Conservative Government of Brian Mulroney, not Jean Chretien's Liberals.

BW
said

While the details haven't been released yet, I don't believe for a minute that this plan will be revenue nuetral.

I think people living in rural areas who often drive more than those living in urban cities, will end up paying proportionately more.

I also wonder what impact this tax(and it is a tax) will have on farmers and on business. Logic holds that if a farmers/business owners costs increase that they will pass on these costs to consumers. While Canadians may be able to pay for these higher commodities if their personal/business taxes are lowered by an equivalent amount, what impact will it have on our export business. Given that we are an exporting country higher prices may put at a competitive DISADVANTAGE at a time when when companies are already strugglling with the high dollar and problems with the U.S. economy.


Dan in Nova Scotia
said

Suzuki is bang on. While there certainly will be the usual whining from the uninformed, this is a revenue neutral program that will promote reduction.
The conservatives are irrelevant in this and are only responding as the result of their internal polling. In short, they shape the message to suit need and get the votes. Layton and the NDP are even more irrelevant in that they are the spoiler, thinking their dividing the vote is in some way positive.

DJM
said

Mr. Suzuki

How are we going to pay to heat our homes? How about transportation, oh ya, we have to eat to. Maybe it's just the well to do you are talking about. To hell with the middle class and low income.

Mike from Canmore
said

When we have a public transit system that I can use to get anywhere in this city I will gladly pay ten times the price of gas. But until then hands off. The politicians are screwing the manufacturing sector with top electric and energy costs, the same morons are screwing the average person with higher and higher gasoline and natural gas prices yet they give themselves major pay raises which makes it easy for them to pay for such. The "H" "E" "double hockey sticks" with the people running this country. Bring on the next federal election. Get rid of Dijon or whatever his name is. Time for a new Liberal leader with vision and someone who could be elected. Bring down taxes and energy costs.

GJ
said

Just how much longer are we going to accept tax after tax after tax on everything? Even if a "carbon tax" is levied, do you honestly believe that business will be paying for it? The cost of it will be handed down to the consumer like everything else.

Mike L
said

David Suzuki is like Buzz Hargrove. Do the opposite of whatever they both say and you'll be ok.

Vote NDP
said

Why is David Suzuki slamming the NDP? He doesn't represent the NDP in any way shape or form.

derek sabine
said

why is it that david suziki is so willing to tax every citizen in canada to the point of poverty for using carbon when at present 4 canadians there is no viable alternative energy source? because the green movement wants for capitalism, industrialism & consumerism to colapse so that we are left with a preindustrial society where nature is pristine once again. If u listen to what they r against air travel, cars , hunting, oil, nuclear power, large farms , & on & on. if u took these things away there would be no modern society left and a tax on carbon would slow the economy to the degree to help bring that about. IF THERE IS A PROBLEM IT WILL BE SOLVED BY VISION AND DEVELOPING THE NEXT GREAT NEW ENERGY SOURCE, not by taxing people 4 the behaviour of a normal industrial society when there is no alternative 4 most Yet.


Richard
said

I am sick of all of these whiners talking about how this hurts rural Canada because they have to drive one hour to the nearest city.

I live in a small town. The nearest city is about 6 hours away. If I wanted to live in it, I'd move to it. If I needed to be in it every day I would move there.

I choose to live in a rural setting and I'm quite content not to commute an hour to work or drive to WalMart every week.

I'm all for this carbon tax so I can keep more of my income. Now if we could only also add a garbage tax so that all those consumption addicts paid for the crap in our landfills, I'd be even happier.

I like making money, and I'll be happy to be taxed less for it. Even happier to watch people who waste gas, energy and other stuff to start paying their share for the mess they're making.

Dan Nowak
said

I am completely dismayed by Mr. Dions proposed carbon tax. He says it is supposed to be revenue neutral but how am I personally supposed to verify that? And what recourse will I have when I discover that it is not? I have long feared a scheme like this that uses the taxes of ordinary Canadians to subsidize the big polluters. Besides any carbon reductions that Canadians achieve at great cost in a year will be wiped out in one week by coal fired economy of China. Mr. Dion, if you think ordinary Canadians are an easier mark than big business you are sadly mistaken and you are handing Harper a majority government on a platter.


Steve V
said

Oh, the standard defense of the Conservative supporters, articulate online- attack the messenger. Everyone is wrong, Suzuki, CIBC, economists like Jaccard, every climate expert in Canada, everyone is the villian, you have nothing, so you attack the source.

Bravo David!

Anyways, back to the fear mongering, about how Dion wants the poor to starve....

Fool
said

I have to wonder how much CO2 was released a thousand years ago when there was a forest fire in Canada. It wouldn't have stopped until winter or a big rain. I also wonder how much more CO2 and pollution was released a few hundred years ago when Europe was starting to industrialize. There was more CO2 being released then than anything else in the world now. The carbon tax is another Liberal scam trying to suck more money out of people's pockets. We are already taxed about 50% of our earnings in our daily life, so why do we need more. This plan will crush the Liberals for sure.
How about starting to throw a carbon tax onto the ticket for the speeder and start taxing carbon to those who use sulfur filled diesel (disgusting I might add). These people are the ones that should be taxed, NOT ordinary Canadians that are trying to make a living for their family.

I for one will be voting Conservative for sure in the next election as hopefully the rest of Canada.


Ed
said

Of course, Suzuki would support Dion. By supporting liberal values, he will ensure that he gets gets his share of any carbon tax etc. I don't have a problem with society reducing the use of petroleum products and hence our dependence on oil, but I have a real problem with Suzuki, Greenpeace etc, trying to get rich on everyone else. These people are Millionairs sponging off the rest of society. They're no different than VIP's with large companies. Have you noticed,they never come up with constructive criticism. Always their own agenda.

Derek Holtom
said

A carbon tax is an attack on rural Canada and the poor. Libs only care about city people.


Raymond in Saskatchewan
said

I might be in lower middle class, but taxing corporations for carbon emissions would force them to find ways to be more efficient, so isn't that good? In the long run we would all benefit, but for those who are against it now really shows that they don't care for our future because they don't want to change. Well I say wake up people the world is changing faster and so is the climate. It's so sad to drive here in Saskatchewan and see the little lakes and all the lines of rivers just drying up year after year and finding the grass is more yellow because we don't have enough rain and snow. Maybe then we'll have more fuel efficient vehicles rather than gas guzzling SUV's and Trucks. I got back from Hong Kong and the majority takes their rail transit system that can transport pretty much their millions of people around the different divisions of Hong Kong which helps eliminate millions of people from driving. Why can't we be more open minded and start looking to be like that? If we were, there would be a lot less pollution.


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