oobzn
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 Posted: Tue Oct 14, 2008 6:03 am Post subject: The Folly And Lesson Of BC>s Wacko Carbon Tax |
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This wacko policy is a sure way to lose an election!
Maureen Bader
October 10 2008
The unpopularity of British Columbia>s carbon tax has helped boost the
opposition NDP above the ruling Liberals in the polls for the first time
in years. With BC>s May 12th fixed-election date quickly approaching,
the premier hit the panic button. The result is a confusing mix of
policies and propaganda. If the premier were smart, he>d cut his losses
and get rid of the carbon tax altogether.
The premier>s first announcement was a carbon tax refund to
municipalities - a not-so-subtle admission that the tax was never
revenue-neutral for families. Offsetting income taxes did not take into
account higher property taxes resulting from municipalities passing
their increased costs along to homeowners.
The refund is a clever trick and may well serve the intended purpose of
halting widespread property tax hikes before voting day; but assuredly
it will not keep them from rising in the long term. A municipal
government must sign onto the Climate Action Charter - committing to be
carbon-neutral by 2012 - to get back 100% of the carbon tax it pays. And
here>s the rub: Compliance with the premier>s charter will carry a price
tag.
The Climate Action Charter requires each municipality to somehow measure
all the greenhouse gases emitted from all its buildings and vehicles,
then reduce those emissions down to zero, or buy carbon offsets.
Municipalities will have to hire more bureaucrats to measure and monitor
greenhouse gas emissions. If buildings and vehicles have to be upgraded
or purchased before the end of their useful lives, costs will be higher
than anticipated. Other bureaucrats will be trading "hot air" credits
and finding trees to plant someplace. Bottom line: Higher costs for
municipalities means higher taxes for homeowners.
The second panic announcement was the surprise removal of tolls on the
Coquihalla Highway, the main trucking route between the Lower Mainland
and Alberta. Killing the toll appeases the trucking in dustry and its
supporters in the area, and also Interior residents - many with Liberal
MLAs - who travel longer distances and are feeling the carbon tax pinch.
Of course, if the premier truly believed in global warming Armageddon,
why would he reduce any driving costs - 40% of BC>s carbon dioxide
emissions coming from transportation.
Politicians want it both ways. They want to appear to be "doing
something" to curb carbon emissions and have that "doing something" be
cost free - especially on voting day.
Indeed, the government is trying to shore up support for the carbon tax
with a $15-million advertising budget to convince people that government
policy is countering imminent and catastrophic demise. Unfortunately,
that budget may be just the tip of the proverbial iceberg.
The government set up a Climate Action Team to come up with even more
brainstorms, and its August 2008 report concluded the government needs
to "educate" British Columbians even more about climate change. No
price tag on that.
The premier is getting squeamish.
He may believe in the righteousness of his carbon tax but he believes in
staying in government even more. Don>t be surprised to see more
municipal-like exemptions and even more government propaganda.
The wheels are falling off the carbon tax bandwagon in British Columbia.
It is not a popular policy.
The rest of the country should sit up and take note.
http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/fpcomment/archive/2008/10/10/the-folly-and-lesson-of-b-c-s-carbon-tax.aspx
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Warmest Regards
Bonzo
"Kyoto represents the first component of authentic global governance"
French President Jacques Chirac |
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