BC Carbon Tax?
Posted on January 10th, 2008 in environment, links, politics, transportation |
Vaughn Palmer thinks it’s coming. And why shouldn’t it be? A carbon tax is one of the clearest forms of market regulation possible, producing the fastest results for reducing greenhouses gases possible. The simple thing it does is puts a price on carbon emissions, something not truly ever taken into the account of anything till now.
Carole Taylor has apparently been discussing revenue neutrality, meaning the tax will go directly towards green projects. Almost like photosynthesis: in goes the carbon, out comes the oxygen!
For example, a proposed gas levy would begin at 4 cents/litre, immediately brining in $200 million for the government. This would escalate to 24 cents/litre by 2030. Presumably, because this is a gas levy, the revenues would go towards green transportation, such as transit projects or HOV lanes. No, it doesn’t seem like all that much money, especially when our Metro needs $3 billion alone just to do the Evergreen Line and finish the Millennium Line. And considering this is province wide, with other places like Victoria also clamouring for LRT and Commuter rail, it seems unlikely that this money will be enough. But hey, it’s a start.
Most pollsters seem to say the majority of people would support a carbon tax, at least in BC. However, the Canadian Taxpayer’s Federation, continuing to argue that we pay too many taxes, says it will never fly and be political suicide for the government that implements it (not that this matters to Carole Taylor, who will be stepping down before the next election).
I think the thing the CTF misses though is that Canadians are generally more willing to pay minor taxes for the greater good, as long as their money is being spent properly. For example, most Canadians would probably like their healthcare system improved, something that simply requires a whole lot of cash to do. Meanwhile, the federal government brings in billions of dollars of surplus, and throws it into the military and paying down the debt. With actions like these, it’s no surprise people want less taxes. It’s a simple case of the consumer wanting their money back for crappy service!
So, I figured I’d test the BC blogosphere and see what you guys think of a carbon tax. Please take part in the poll below :)
8 Responses
I think a carbon tax is necessary, but I think they should take a different approach from the start. How about charging major industries that pollute, cut down forrest, etc. rather than charging everyone from the start. Why not make these companies change their ways?
Also, this leads into a whole public transit debate. I am honestly not thrilled with BC Transit at the moment, and have decided to not take the bus for awhile. Not because of the rate increase, but the way BC Transit has been pushing their employees to interrogate me and mark me as a liar from the minute I step onto a bus. This is not only my experience, but that of many other teenagers I know.
I am planning on getting a car and will gladly pay $0.04/L for the carbon tax. If it means I don’t have to take the bus crammed with people, I’m happy.
This is still trying to bring in money from the pump, while the government is trying to reduce car dependency. If the new tax is meant to discourage people from driving, it just shoots the government in the foot because it means the revenue is subject to decrease. This is even worse when the money is put toward transit (like right now). Certainly while an increase in the tax amount over time might balance it out a little, the bigger it gets, the more people will probably realise it’s getting expensive to drive. I don’t think 4c/L is going to have much effect. I agree with Michael that they should be charging the industries. Again, however, punishing somebody with a tax to get them to reduce consumption doesn’t sound viable in the long run as a source of green funding. Maybe they should think about more tax breaks/refunds for transit users? (That doesn’t help people who use it less than a pass merits, which isn’t fair, or for people who don’t earn enough for the credit… thanks Harper.)
I’d feel bad for my boyfriend who has no choice but to drive/carpool to work. Same goes if he had to pay a toll to get there. Other options just aren’t available or good enough right now for some people.
I think that the carbon tax idea is a complete crock, using the tax system to influence peoples behavior has done nothing but build bureaucracies. We have been down this raod before, we have a Federal income tax act of over 1500 pages of credits, deductions, exemptions, and so forth and a work force of tens of thousands to implement it all. To call a carbon tax a “Market Based” approach is a sham, taxes are a machination of government and special taxes are a form of government manipulation of the economy, plain and simple.
It’s all very well and good that such an idea has the endorsement of University Professors, with their job security and six figure incomes plus benefits, but not everyone has it this good. Many of the people are just making ends meet, homelessness is reaching record levels, slapping another tax on just means that food has to come off the table. It will also take money out of the economy at a time when it is already slowing down and could be better spent elsewhere.
There is a way to reduce energy consumption, with absolutely no economic impact or bureaucratic build, at least when it comes to electricity. Our power system supplies both 120 Volts AC and 240 Volts AC for domestic use. Must appliances and other devices are designed to operate most efficiently at 110 Volts and 220 Volts. The solution is simple, reduce the line voltage to 110 and 220, that extra voltage is being wasted, all that it is doing is spining power meters faster. Add up that wasted power and convert that into Kilowatt hours per household that is a huge amount that could be saved and not need to be generated, not a big deal by hydroelectric power but for coal it would reduce pollution through lower demand, no carbon tax needed.
Best Regards
Fritz
People are not going to drive less, I know I won’t.
I drive as little as possible as it is and will continue to do so. Taking public transit to work would cost $3 a day which is more then what I pay now in gas, plus it wastes way too much time. It will probably cost $3 in gas now instead of $2.50. If need be I’ll work overtime to be able to eat which is probably what will happen.
This kind of thing just steals from the poor.
That is theft, pure and simple.
We need options not another tax to drivers. I hardly drive already working from home but it’s always the families who pay for this. What about the industry big wigs who make more pollution? What more can we do if transit sucks, biking isn’t a real option for many of us and many have to commute to work every day? We need options first and there isn’t that many alternatives to driving a car in this city.
Just another tax grab by the BC Liberals to pay for their Olympics. If they were really serious and actually understood the problem, then they would not be wasting our money on more roads and collect the fares due on the public transit systems. Rails NOT roads is the only to save the environment.
British Columbia - the best place on earth for politicians their cronies and gangsters!
Axe the tax! It’s a crock
@ Fritz. I think you are going a little heavy here on the conspiracy front, assuming University professors and the government are out to get the everyday man. Not to mention thinking that switching our electrical infrastructure will be the magic bullet to reducing our consumption and eliminating climate change.
@ Trisnic. We’ll see if that’s the case. I find it amusing that you complain about the tax and it’s gouging, and yet you yourself admit that this “gouging” will not be even to dissuade you from driving. So, in all actuality, is it really that outrageous of a tax shift?
Furthermore, I don’t see how this is in any way bad for the poor. All low-income BCers will be getting annual Climate Action credits. Not to mention, it’s highly doubtful the carbon tax will hit them at the pumps because there aren’t likely driving anyways! These are the people taking public transit!!
And again, let’s remember here people, this is not a tax grab, it’s a tax shift. The carbon tax is revenue neutral!
@ Jon. I agree. We do need options and the Provincial Transit Plan doesn’t go far enough - and certainly doesn’t provide us with a reasonable timeline for said alternatives.
Industry does need to pay as well, and that’s why a cap-and-trade system is being implemented for them.
@ Peters. The Olympics have been sought out by Whistler since the 60’s. Trying to claim they were initiated by the provincial government is a farce. It just so happened that the government supported the bid, we won, and now we’re moving forward with the Winter Olympics. It has been, and will continue to be, good for the economy of the Lower Mainland and BC. Our money could’ve been better spent elsewhere, but this is what we got so learn to live with it. And! Don’t you even dare try to argue against all the jobs the Olympic venues and associated infrastructure upgrades have brought forth. Are you against jobs Peters? ;)
I completely agree with you: rail, not roads!
@Maryanne. That’s a simplistic yelling. Any argument you want to put forth to explain why you believe the carbon tax is a “crock”?