Outdated as the Edsel
Re: “Canada’s carbon tax house of cards is falling down” (Sept 9)
Tom Fletcher’s analysis of B.C.’s carbon pricing is as outdated as the Edsel. He’s obviously not speaking to the youth who not only won’t understand his antiquated analogy but won’t forgive our inaction if we let a few cents at the gas pump prevent true climate action.
He is inaccurate to state B.C.’s carbon tax had no positive impact. Until Christy Clark froze it in 2013, British Columbians emitted 12.9 per cent fewer greenhouse gases between 2008-13 compared to 2001-08, while growing the economy.
Revenue neutrality is important as Fletcher points out. The B.C. government must be transparent with the collected revenue. A 100 per cent rebate would ensure that most Canadian households will come out equal or ahead regarding the increase in energy costs.
For me and my young friends the month of August was spent choking on smoke as more than 550 wildfires burned. Though there are many opinions on the changing climate, there’s little disagreement when it came to the wildfire smoke: it was alarming. Rather than be frozen in fear, or freeze the price on pollution, we must continue the tough work of addressing climate change for the future of the youth, and effective carbon pricing is a key piece.
Dona Grace-Campbell
Kaslo
