Although Canada's conservative "new" federal government is locked in a Bushian nightmare of climate doublespeak and bad science, the provinces are doing much better. British Columbia (where I have the privilege to reside) started its carbon tax yesterday, the first in North America. Today following bilingual talks between the Québec and Ontario cabinets (reportedly held 60% in French) were followed by an announcement of a cap-and-trade carbon emission reduction scheme much like those used in Europe, to be implemented by January 2010. Even if the reactionary do nothing federal government and the oil-producing rednecks of Alberta (our esteemed prime minister's spiritual home) won't do it, the rest of Canada will – or at least 75% of us will. Canadian federalism works. It's a proud day here in our fair country.
1 comment:
I have a mix feeling about it. Even though I am up for increasing the taxes for gasoline usage, I do not agree with 'giving credit back to people'.
Why isn't the government planning on building and/or improving transportation around the jurisdiction?. It would make an impact if they show an urban planning along the proposal, but I guess the compromise is just not there.
I would like to see more subways, more bus lines, building the much needed trains to connect cities (instead of more roads), investing in new source of energies. All of that, again, instead of giving the money 'back' to the tax payers.
I get the point about charging more to decrease the usage of gasoline, but It is not quite there. There is no urban planning to promote the not-usage of cars.
There are simple things to do as to increase bike paths - nada.
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