Alberta Carbon tax questions need answers (with poll)
Alta_redneck @ Mon Sep 26, 2016 10:29 am
$1:
The NDP didn’t mention during last year’s election campaign that it would implement a carbon tax, so it’s surprising Environment Minister Shannon Phillips is so strident in defending the government’s controversial levy.
Phillips creates the impression that anybody who has the audacity to question the NDP’s action is anti-Earth.
“The political right in this province can barely conceal their contempt for Premier Notley and her government,” Phillips said this week.
“And as we move back into the legislature, we will all hear over and over again now is not the right time for action. For some, there will never be a right time.”
We’re accustomed to bluster from politicians, but surely Phillips must realize that a scheme to take $3 billion a year out of the economy and dole it out in rebates and subsidies for renewable energy projects, all in an untested attempt to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, is bound to invite discussion.
British Columbia’s version is revenue neutral, meaning the costs associated with the tax have been offset by tax cuts in other areas.
The head of the Mining Association of Canada, for instance, has pointed out the challenge of carbon leakage in critiquing British Columbia’s tax. Carbon leakage punishes jurisdictions that implement a tax and rewards those that do not with jobs and investment — all the while doing nothing to address climate change concerns because total global greenhouse gas emissions are not reduced.
“A trade-exposed sector like mining sells its products at a fixed international market price, no matter where they are mined. If a mine in one country has a carbon tax added to its cost base, while a mine in another jurisdiction does not, then the former faces a competitive disadvantage,” says Pierre Gratton, the mining association’s president and CEO.
The same is true of Alberta’s energy industry, of course, which competes with producers around the world that are not subjected to a carbon tax, including the United States. It’s also true of Alberta’s beleaguered beef industry. The Alberta Cattle Feeders Association estimates the carbon tax will cost its members between $6 and $7 per head.
Then there’s the way the NDP has structured its carbon tax. British Columbia’s version is revenue neutral, meaning the costs associated with the tax have been offset by tax cuts in other areas. This means B.C. residents are still motivated to reduce their carbon footprint, but they aren’t shelling out billions of dollars in extra taxes to the government. If the NDP had pursued such an approach, it probably wouldn’t face as much criticism from Albertans who rightly question the soundness of its plan.
Instead of castigating opposition MLAs and other Albertans for raising legitimate questions, Phillips should be providing greater detail. When families pay an additional, say, $1,000 in taxes next year, for instance, and are ineligible for a rebate, what advantage are they receiving from the carbon levy? Why are they ponying up the money so corporate welfare can be extended to companies operating costly renewable electricity projects?
Albertans don’t need feigned moral outrage from Phillips, they need answers.
Does the NDP have a firm grasp of the impact its carbon tax will have on the economy?
No, they underestimate the harm it will do 96.07% (4,795 votes)
Yes, they've done the research to put together a solid plan 3.93% (196 votes)
Phillips creates the impression that anybody who has the audacity to question the NDP’s action is anti-Earth.
“The political right in this province can barely conceal their contempt for Premier Notley and her government,” Phillips said this week.
“And as we move back into the legislature, we will all hear over and over again now is not the right time for action. For some, there will never be a right time.”
We’re accustomed to bluster from politicians, but surely Phillips must realize that a scheme to take $3 billion a year out of the economy and dole it out in rebates and subsidies for renewable energy projects, all in an untested attempt to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, is bound to invite discussion.
British Columbia’s version is revenue neutral, meaning the costs associated with the tax have been offset by tax cuts in other areas.
The head of the Mining Association of Canada, for instance, has pointed out the challenge of carbon leakage in critiquing British Columbia’s tax. Carbon leakage punishes jurisdictions that implement a tax and rewards those that do not with jobs and investment — all the while doing nothing to address climate change concerns because total global greenhouse gas emissions are not reduced.
“A trade-exposed sector like mining sells its products at a fixed international market price, no matter where they are mined. If a mine in one country has a carbon tax added to its cost base, while a mine in another jurisdiction does not, then the former faces a competitive disadvantage,” says Pierre Gratton, the mining association’s president and CEO.
The same is true of Alberta’s energy industry, of course, which competes with producers around the world that are not subjected to a carbon tax, including the United States. It’s also true of Alberta’s beleaguered beef industry. The Alberta Cattle Feeders Association estimates the carbon tax will cost its members between $6 and $7 per head.
Then there’s the way the NDP has structured its carbon tax. British Columbia’s version is revenue neutral, meaning the costs associated with the tax have been offset by tax cuts in other areas. This means B.C. residents are still motivated to reduce their carbon footprint, but they aren’t shelling out billions of dollars in extra taxes to the government. If the NDP had pursued such an approach, it probably wouldn’t face as much criticism from Albertans who rightly question the soundness of its plan.
Instead of castigating opposition MLAs and other Albertans for raising legitimate questions, Phillips should be providing greater detail. When families pay an additional, say, $1,000 in taxes next year, for instance, and are ineligible for a rebate, what advantage are they receiving from the carbon levy? Why are they ponying up the money so corporate welfare can be extended to companies operating costly renewable electricity projects?
Albertans don’t need feigned moral outrage from Phillips, they need answers.
Does the NDP have a firm grasp of the impact its carbon tax will have on the economy?
No, they underestimate the harm it will do 96.07% (4,795 votes)
Yes, they've done the research to put together a solid plan 3.93% (196 votes)
Their committing political suicide with this which makes me believe there are envelopes of cash sitting in a Swiss bank account for them when the time comes, IMHO
DO THE POLL. http://calgaryherald.com/opinion/editor ... uestions-2
Alta_redneck @ Tue Sep 27, 2016 4:08 pm
With the poll at 96% No !!, Rachel comes out today and says she believes she has the support of a majority of Albertans on the carbon tax.
WTF is wrong with her.
BartSimpson @ Tue Sep 27, 2016 4:27 pm
Alta_redneck Alta_redneck:
With the poll at 96% No !!, Rachel comes out today and says she believes she has the support of a majority of Albertans on the carbon tax.
WTF is wrong with her.
WTF is wrong with her.Leftists think that if they lie enough that the lie becomes a fact.
Brenda @ Tue Sep 27, 2016 5:00 pm
BartSimpson BartSimpson:
Alta_redneck Alta_redneck:
With the poll at 96% No !!, Rachel comes out today and says she believes she has the support of a majority of Albertans on the carbon tax.
WTF is wrong with her.
WTF is wrong with her.Leftists think that if they lie enough that the lie becomes a fact.
More proof that Canada is the oposite from the US
herbie @ Tue Sep 27, 2016 5:04 pm
WTF is wrong with YOU?
If you don't impose a Carbon Tax, the Feds will and they'll collect the money. Kwicherbichin and get with the program
andyt @ Tue Sep 27, 2016 5:25 pm
herbie herbie:
WTF is wrong with YOU?
If you don't impose a Carbon Tax, the Feds will and they'll collect the money. Kwicherbichin and get with the program
If you don't impose a Carbon Tax, the Feds will and they'll collect the money. Kwicherbichin and get with the program
But that's sacrilege. With oil, every drop is sacred and must be extracted at maximum profit for our foreign owners, none of these commie taxes that just syphon the money off to the government. Who needs schools and hospitals, just as long as you build roads to drive mah pickup truck.
Canadian_Mind @ Tue Sep 27, 2016 5:26 pm
herbie herbie:
WTF is wrong with YOU?
If you don't impose a Carbon Tax, the Feds will and they'll collect the money. Kwicherbichin and get with the program
If you don't impose a Carbon Tax, the Feds will and they'll collect the money. Kwicherbichin and get with the program
The concept of a Carbon Tax is fine; bring it on. The issue is that it isn't revenue-neutral the same way the tax is in BC. If the tax, estimated to generate $3 billion per year, we're offset by a $2 billion reduction in income taxes ($400 per person per year on average), and a $1 billion reduction in corporate taxes, this would be a fantastic plan.
bootlegga @ Sun Oct 02, 2016 7:46 am
Canadian_Mind Canadian_Mind:
herbie herbie:
WTF is wrong with YOU?
If you don't impose a Carbon Tax, the Feds will and they'll collect the money. Kwicherbichin and get with the program
If you don't impose a Carbon Tax, the Feds will and they'll collect the money. Kwicherbichin and get with the program
The concept of a Carbon Tax is fine; bring it on. The issue is that it isn't revenue-neutral the same way the tax is in BC. If the tax, estimated to generate $3 billion per year, we're offset by a $2 billion reduction in income taxes ($400 per person per year on average), and a $1 billion reduction in corporate taxes, this would be a fantastic plan.
Exactly!
It also doesn't help that the plan for all this extra revenue is for a slush fund to buy votes and invest in 'green' pet projects.
I think a huge part of the dissatisfaction with the NDP is their insistence at redistributing income, through policies like the carbon tax and $15 minimum wage.
Delwin @ Sun Oct 02, 2016 8:10 am
Love these online polls. I completed it from a Polish proxy, followed by a proxy from Spain just to test the BS factor. Online polls have no value FYI.
If I was ambitious enough to set up a bot, I would have.
bootlegga @ Sun Oct 02, 2016 12:28 pm
Delwin Delwin:
Love these online polls. I completed it from a Polish proxy, followed by a proxy from Spain just to test the BS factor. Online polls have no value FYI.
If I was ambitious enough to set up a bot, I would have.
If I was ambitious enough to set up a bot, I would have.
Fair enough - a poll released by Think HQ this week found 63% of Albertans were against the carbon tax. Support was only really strong with hardcore NDP supporters.
It also noted that as many as 60% of people who voted NDP last year would not vote for them now.
andyt @ Sun Oct 02, 2016 12:32 pm
Better Alberta establishes it and gets the money than the feds do it and it fills their coffers. It's coming one way or another.
As for revenue neutral, that's all just sleight of hand. There's only one govt kitty, and one taxpayer. In BC they like to brag about low income taxes and revenue neutral carbon tax, but they kill people with user fees, medical premiums, bridge tolls, and sucking billions out of hydro and car insurance so that those cost more than they otherwise would. It all comes out to the same, because it all comes out of the taxpayers pocket.