[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Ronald Pagan

You coudn't sound more cliched-Albertan.

Those who forget history are doomed to repeat it.

When the Liberals start to show that Alberta is more than just a convienent place to dump the costs of their Central Canadian policies, my opinion will change. The burden is on them to prove me they changed, not on me to assume Canada finally extends west of Thunder Bay in their world.

Notwithstanding the fact that even if you dismiss my arguments as little more than stereotypical ranting, there are more than enough arguments against Dion's scam.

Why Green Shift just won't work

The Green Shift would fundamentally alter the tax system with unpredictable results to accomplish what the market is already delivering, which is sharply higher carbon prices. The Liberals' own numbers remind us that the price of home heating oil has gone up 71.4 per cent since the beginning of 2006. If that isn't enough to get people to use less, what would be?



With the Green Shift, the Liberals are running to jump on the caboose while pretending that they are driving the train. This is a cumbersome policy of limited value. No wonder Dion is talking about it less and less.

Dion downshifts on the Green Shift

So why, if the plan is so lucrative, are the Liberals offering $900 million more in "incentives and rebates"? And why, if I'm so much better well off, would I cut back on my heat or gasoline bill? For $1,172 I could put a down payment on a Hummer.

Is there something here they're not telling us?

'Green Shift’ Impact Analysis For Ontario Business

TORONTO: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) today released an impact analysis for Ontario businesses that would result from the implementation of the Liberal Party of Canada’s proposed “Green Shift” carbon tax endorsed by Premier McGuinty. Ontario Director, Kevin Gaudet said “the Liberal carbon tax will cause a massive increase to the cost of power alone. Adding net new costs of $1.5 billion for power in Ontario will further damage an already struggling economy. Mr. McGuinty should withdraw his support of this tax scheme.”

Dion goes on offensive with his Green Shift plan

This is one of my favourites. Aside from the typical Liberal vs. Conservative rhetoric, we have Dion trying to argue that the Conservative environmental plans are a threat to national unity, while theirs is not. Umm, wha?

Green Shift doesn't discriminate

The Liberal finance critic takes aim at an editorial by the National Post that claims Alberta and Saskatchewan families will end up paying 5 times what the rest of the country will. Having not read the original editorial, I can't really take umbarage with McCallum's rebuttal, but this was interesting:

If, at one extreme, producers pass all of the carbon tax on to consumers, then the 40% figure is irrelevant. In terms of who pays the tax, it matters not who emits -- it matters only who consumes. And consumption patterns on the Prairies are not radically different from the rest of Canada.
If, at the other extreme, producers pass none of the carbon tax on to consumers, then it becomes true that the owners of emitting companies based in Saskatchewan and Alberta pay 40% of the tax. But that's vastly different from saying that families in these provinces pay 40% of the tax, given that very substantial numbers of these owners are based in other provinces and countries.

Two things really lept out at me when reading McCallum's responses.

1. All he talks about are taxes, taxes, taxes, taxes, taxes, taxes. Oh, and one tiny statement about "changing behaviours" tucked at the back.

2. He presents two alternatives in his rebuttal. Either producers pass the costs on, which liberals such as you, Mr. Pagan, argue wont happen. Or producers eat the costs. Given that 40% of said production is in Alberta and Saskatchewan, guess where the prime impact of said costs will land? In Alberta and Saskatchewan. Not necessarily with an increased tax burden for the people of this province, but certainly with a reduced economy. And with it, job losses, revenue losses, and all of the other associated hardships.

Some choice.

Those are, of course, the extremes. The reality will be in the middle, a mixture of increased costs to consumers, and a reduced economy.

Three Questions on Green Shift Plan

I can't vouch for the legitimacy of the site itself, and yes, the numbers are really pulled out of this person's behind, but she does make a really interesting point on how the carbon scam clearly is not "revenue neutral". Certainly not for consumers, but also not for government. Mainly because the Liberals haven't accounted for the additional revenue they will collect via the GST when costs get passed onto consumers. This person estimates it to be as much as $775 million-$1 billion a year.

Dion Green Shift a Green Shaft

One equation his numeric wizardry forgot to include: Other levels of governments will be impacted by his new tax. And, like energy giants, they'll pass extra costs onto the taxpaying consumers.
In B.C., where Premier Gordon Campbell's new carbon tax hits on Canada Day (doesn't that underscore the slogan Tax Me, I'm Canadian?), municipalities are already warning they'll have no choice but to hike property taxes. Other fees and taxes could also head higher.
NO-BRAINER
B.C.'s Liberal tax grab is expected to collect $1.85 billion over the next three years, with businesses paying 70% of the burden, while getting only 30% in tax cuts. It's a no-brainer the costs of goods and services will head higher -- which is why new polls show a majority of British Columbians "strongly oppose" the new tax, which pushes up the price of B.C. gas, already at $1.45 a litre, by 2.4 cents on July 1.