Fighting Climate Change the RIGHT Way

I know I should keep myself from adding to April Fools Day references made to connect the upcoming

April 1st Carbon Tax hike as foolish and Trudeau taking Canadians as fools. I’ve always believed that the best and worst thing about democracy is that people get what they deserve. So I believe Star Wars Obi-Wan said it best,  “Who's the more foolish? The fool or the fool who follows him?”

Thankfully, Canadians are now in full buyer’s remorse with this government and its signature tax. But to completely turn the page, Conservatives will have to offer an alternative to win the hearts and minds of voters like me who care both about the economy and the environment. 

Still, before I explain how to right this wrong, I should explain to any Canadians still supporting the Carbon Tax why it stinks and the smell, like the one coming from this gone bad government is only getting worse. 

Canadians like fairness, but this tax is anything but. The pain from it is excessive and not evenly distributed among the economic classes.  

First off, Canadians have finally realized, they are no way close to being better off financially after receiving their rebates - assuming they even get them. Many vulnerable Canadians don’t even file. So they are paying the higher supply chain food costs, but are getting nothing back in this quarterly rebate scheme. 

The independent Parliamentary Budget Officer Yves Giroux clearly demonstrated in his report that when you factor in the full impact of higher carbon costs - we’re poorer for it. “We estimate that most households will see a net loss, paying more in the federal fuel charge and GST, as well as receiving lower incomes, compared to the Climate Action Incentive payments they receive,” Giroux wrote.  As Canadians have discovered it’s not only the carbon you directly consume and pay for, but all the added carbon cost the farmer pays to run their gas powered equipment and fuel used to transport our goods to us.  In an economy that still runs on fossil fuels - the carbon tax is everywhere. 

Carbon tax advocates will tell you that if you can reduce your carbon footprint - your carbon rebate will more than offset your increased cost. Problem with that logic is that not everyone can afford to do the right thing.  Many people can’t work from home. Some jobs require a big truck  and not everyone can afford the upfront costs of switching to an electric vehicle or retrofitting their home. Assuming they are lucky enough to even afford a home.  Fuel demand is not elastic, its a necessity to people's way of life.

Read more at:

https://www.justcaws.ca/2024/03/fighting-climate-change-right-way.html#google_vignette