Canadians took time out on Tuesday to celebrate the 141st Birthday of the nation and to receive the glad tidings of the British Columbia government in the form of a 2.3 cent carbon tax on fuel.
The much discussed Carbon tax took effect today less than a week after British Columbians rushed off to the bank to cash their rebate cheques designed to make today’s increase “revenue neutral”.
Originally conceived as a way to “shock” British Columbians into a more conservation oriented lifestyle, the best intentions of the tough love Liberals of BC have been overtaken by world events.
Since the Carbon tax concept was first thought up, British Columbians have watched the price of gasoline rise to inconceivable levels a year ago, with many locations hitting the 1.45 level even before the Campbell tax kicked in on Tuesday, almost fifty cents more than what a litre of gas cost on the day that the Liberals announced their tough love approach to conservation.
Now the idea of a conscience tax such as this one seems a tad ill conceived, if not redundant considering recent events in the world of oil and energy production.
Needless to say the Liberals have been taking a fair amount of heat over their addition to the tax load of the British Columbia tax payer these days, with all the tax rebates and tax cuts that come with the project all but forgotten or disregarded.
Numerous sites on facebook have sprung up to sign up the discontented to fight the power, likewise petitions have been popping up around town urging residents to sign up to stop the tax (now to revoke we suspect).
The opposition has made a little bit of disingenuous political hay out of the tax, urging that it be eliminated, though calling for a tax at the source of the energy chain, somehow thinking that those producers wouldn’t pass the increased cost on to consumers somehow.
For the NDP it’s more of a case of pure politics, trying to position themselves between the Campbell Liberals and the surging Green party in BC, as to how best attract the attention and affections of a population getting a little tired of the nickel and diming of government. The idea that Carole James is out there defending the rights of the British Columbian driver seems a little hard to believe, rather they see a chance to make some political hay out of a controversial issue and so far have massaged that message to their favour.
Lost in all of the rhetoric over the carbon tax, is the simple fact that it really isn’t going to do much to reduce the consumption of gasoline in the province, instead residents who rely on their cars for transportation will still pull up to the pump, fill up their tanks and perhaps seek out a bank loan from the friendly bank manager for the privilege.
Instead of moving the tax rate upwards as this plan does, one wonders why measures to make alternative forms of transportation more attractive were not considered. Perhaps an end to the provincial and federal sales taxes on hybrids and other energy efficient vehicles and options for instance might produce the desired result of a more energy conscious population. Also working to increase the availability and quality of mass transportation across the province and not just in Vancouver and Victoria, could wean the motorized public from their cars and into a more collective outlook than currently exists.
The original idea was a laudable idea, gaining the attention of the public that there is a need to change our wasteful ways. However, as always events sometimes overtake the best laid plans and now the tax is just another move by government that is perceived as adding on to our burdens for day to day living.
For many it’s the prospect of a big stick to shake out a few more pennies that is supposed to do the trick, an approach which judging by the backlash of late over what many consider just another tax grab, isn’t going to have the desired effect and may prove to be a costly political move by the always calculating Premier.
All in all, you have to wonder if perhaps the Royal Canadian Air Farce didn’t hit the nail on the head with this tribute to Carbon reduction in B. C.
The much discussed Carbon tax took effect today less than a week after British Columbians rushed off to the bank to cash their rebate cheques designed to make today’s increase “revenue neutral”.
Originally conceived as a way to “shock” British Columbians into a more conservation oriented lifestyle, the best intentions of the tough love Liberals of BC have been overtaken by world events.
Since the Carbon tax concept was first thought up, British Columbians have watched the price of gasoline rise to inconceivable levels a year ago, with many locations hitting the 1.45 level even before the Campbell tax kicked in on Tuesday, almost fifty cents more than what a litre of gas cost on the day that the Liberals announced their tough love approach to conservation.
Now the idea of a conscience tax such as this one seems a tad ill conceived, if not redundant considering recent events in the world of oil and energy production.
Needless to say the Liberals have been taking a fair amount of heat over their addition to the tax load of the British Columbia tax payer these days, with all the tax rebates and tax cuts that come with the project all but forgotten or disregarded.
Numerous sites on facebook have sprung up to sign up the discontented to fight the power, likewise petitions have been popping up around town urging residents to sign up to stop the tax (now to revoke we suspect).
The opposition has made a little bit of disingenuous political hay out of the tax, urging that it be eliminated, though calling for a tax at the source of the energy chain, somehow thinking that those producers wouldn’t pass the increased cost on to consumers somehow.
For the NDP it’s more of a case of pure politics, trying to position themselves between the Campbell Liberals and the surging Green party in BC, as to how best attract the attention and affections of a population getting a little tired of the nickel and diming of government. The idea that Carole James is out there defending the rights of the British Columbian driver seems a little hard to believe, rather they see a chance to make some political hay out of a controversial issue and so far have massaged that message to their favour.
Lost in all of the rhetoric over the carbon tax, is the simple fact that it really isn’t going to do much to reduce the consumption of gasoline in the province, instead residents who rely on their cars for transportation will still pull up to the pump, fill up their tanks and perhaps seek out a bank loan from the friendly bank manager for the privilege.
Instead of moving the tax rate upwards as this plan does, one wonders why measures to make alternative forms of transportation more attractive were not considered. Perhaps an end to the provincial and federal sales taxes on hybrids and other energy efficient vehicles and options for instance might produce the desired result of a more energy conscious population. Also working to increase the availability and quality of mass transportation across the province and not just in Vancouver and Victoria, could wean the motorized public from their cars and into a more collective outlook than currently exists.
The original idea was a laudable idea, gaining the attention of the public that there is a need to change our wasteful ways. However, as always events sometimes overtake the best laid plans and now the tax is just another move by government that is perceived as adding on to our burdens for day to day living.
For many it’s the prospect of a big stick to shake out a few more pennies that is supposed to do the trick, an approach which judging by the backlash of late over what many consider just another tax grab, isn’t going to have the desired effect and may prove to be a costly political move by the always calculating Premier.
All in all, you have to wonder if perhaps the Royal Canadian Air Farce didn’t hit the nail on the head with this tribute to Carbon reduction in B. C.
Globe and Mail-- Carbon dating the taxes for Canada Day
Globe and Mail-- A Canada Day resolution: Don't let the politicians do your thinking for you
Vancouver Sun-- New 2.3¢ carbon tax sends gas price up a dime in places
Vancouver Province-- High gas prices fuel gov't windfall
CBC News-- B.C. carbon tax kicks in on Canada Day
Georgia Straight-- Let’s clear the air on carbon taxes
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