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No gas tax relief: Harper

MICHAEL OLIVEIRA

The Canadian Press

Latest comment posted at 3:25 PM EDT 22/05/08

Ottawa holds little sway over prices, PM says to chagrin of critics ...Read the full article

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  1. Please Conservative voters we value your opinion, not commie scripted talking points from Canada writes: Oh we believe you Mr.Harper it's not like you have ever lied to us in the recent past.
  2. Haiden MitHand El from Canada writes: They're all beholden to a higher power.
  3. James Tod from Vancouver, Canada writes: LOL, too rich are our PM's comments for me.
  4. Joe Canada from Kingston, Canada writes: So he will lower gas taxes then? Because he is a liar?

    Huh?
  5. Don Jenkins from Canada writes: 'The implementation of a carbon tax would be more about raising revenue than helping the environment, Mr. Harper said.'

    ----

    Yet... the carbon tax plan Dion is proposing has CLEARLY been stated as being a revenue neutral tax and is also going hand in hand with lowering personal taxes so we're actually taxing the things that are bad and lowering it on things that are good.

    So, is Harper just misinformed and slow to understand or is he... lying and spreading... propaganda?
  6. Alan Pater from Vancouver, Canada writes: Cut consumption by 10% per year and prices will go down. Plus you'll be doing your kids the favour of avoiding catastrophic climate change.
  7. True North from Canada writes: Harper's government is making a killing in tax revenues on oil and gas.

    Harper's government cannot be trusted.
  8. Joe Canada from Kingston, Canada writes: The global warming crowd should be overjoyed at the price of gas.

  9. William Ross from Victoria BC, Canada writes: Excellent News : it would be of little use and only lower the amount of the surplus we will be putting on the National Debt with a downside of a possible budget deficit. Deal with it folks - Hey I moved closer to work so only drive my truck on the weekend.
  10. Honesty is the best Policy from Canada writes:
    So Steve is on a campaign tour of Ontario?
    Too late.... the jobs and votes are gone.
  11. Markham Hislop from Calgary, Canada writes: What we need are higher oil prices. Price is the only thing that changes consumer habits. Higher prices = less consumption, which is good for the environment. Consumers don't have a god given right to low gasoline prices. They need to change their behavior: drive less, drive more fuel efficient cars, bike more, etc. I work in the oil patch and I drive a Toyota that gets 40 mpg. Why should the Canadian government in any way subsidize my buddies who insist on driving gas guzzling SUVs and trucks? They made a stupid economic decision, let them live with it.
  12. Don Jenkins from Canada writes: Harper is the champion of the environment. He is going to deliver us from climate change. Suzuki and all the other experts backing Dion's plan are just revenue-grubbing jerks who use the environment as a cover for their real intent: to get rich and destroy the world doing it. Their decades of experience, mountains of qualifications, total devotion to research, all to trick us so they could turn a buck on an Opposition Leader's carbon tax. Harper, and only Harper, is our hero. Everyone else, Everyone else, Everyone else is wrong.
  13. J S from Edmonton, Canada writes: I AM actually overjoyed at the price of gas. I ride my bike or drive my fuel-efficient diesel car when I need to, and I really don't care if fuel prices reach the same levels as in Europe.

    As always, I think the issue is less about how much the government takes in and more about how the government spends the revenue.

    If they're taking all that gas tax and spending it on alternative fuel research, environmental programs and public transportation infrastructure, while giving people like farmers a bit of a break to ease their pain (since I understand that while riding a bike is an option for me, farmers can't exactly plow a field with a bicycle), people wouldn't mind that they're taking that tax when we fill up.

    Besides, if they cut fuel taxes, it just means that the oil companies will have that much more margin to raise fuel prices before people stop buying. It means that we spend exactly the same amount on petrol and diesel but we don't get anything back for it.
  14. BEN DOVER from WESTERN CANADA, Canada writes: $1.25.7? Where the hell can you get gas for $1.25.7? Must be in Toronto or Ottawa. We are up to $1.34.7 and we have a Provincial finance Minister who is adding a GREEN TAX on top of this in June. In her wisdom in January she knew that adding a gas tax when the price was $1.12 a L would stop people from using their cars as much. Sure has worked hasn't it MS. TAYLOR? But not to worry, it's not really an additional tax it is REVENUE NEUTRAL!!
  15. Freddie B from Woodbridge from Woodbridge, Canada writes: Don Jenkins from Canada writes:Yet... the carbon tax plan Dion is proposing has CLEARLY been stated as being a revenue neutral tax and is also going hand in hand with lowering personal taxes so we're actually taxing the things that are bad and lowering it on things that are good.

    So, is Harper just misinformed and slow to understand or is he... lying and spreading... propaganda?
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Right, a revenue neutral tax. Dipstick Dion wouldn't give an ounce of relief to taxpayers. True blind liberal followers such as yourself think that Dion would actually do anything is astounding. You call Harper a lyer, yet Dion has flip flopped more than any opposition leader in history. Why isn't McGuinty lowering the gas tax? Why don't the mush brain libbies complain about that. You want gas relief, don't drive gas pigs. Turn down the heat and turn up the A/C. Walk more. Don't blame Harper for every problem out there. We have caused our own problems.
  16. Bill G from Calgary, Canada writes: Not a snowball's chance that a carbon tax is revenue neutral. Mr. Harper is quite right. Again. This is getting monotonous.
  17. Tony . from Waterloo, Canada writes:
    VERY good move by Harper, he's 100% correct here.

    Cutting gas tax is one of the stupidest tax cuts you can possibly do. Gas taxes do little to harm productivity or investment in Canada for the amount of money they bring in.

    The only point I would disagree with Harper in this is his comments about the GST. While cutting the GST is unquestionably better then cutting the gas tax, it's still not as good as cutting corporate and personal income taxes.

    The best way to help people with high gas prices is to raise the personal exemption level. The more money everyone can earn without the tax man taking his share, the more money we'll all have to spend on anything and everything, including gasoline and all products that need to be shipped and therefore cost more due to higher gasoline costs. Also cutting corporate taxes helps for the latter.
  18. Freddie B from Woodbridge from Woodbridge, Canada writes: Don Jenkins from Canada writes: Harper is the champion of the environment. He is going to deliver us from climate change. Suzuki and all the other experts backing Dion's plan are just revenue-grubbing jerks who use the environment as a cover for their real intent: to get rich and destroy the world doing it.
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------You are absolutely right!!!!!! Glad to see you see the light.
  19. Anti Elvis from Calgary, Alberta, Canada writes: What Canada needs is an energy plan...and cutting gas taxes is not an energy plan.
  20. Keith shanahan from Calgary, Canada writes: To Alan Pater, William Ross and Markham Hislop, you've made my day.
  21. Trillian Rand from Canada writes: From the article: 'The implementation of a carbon tax would be more about raising revenue than helping the environment, Mr. Harper said.'

    It seems Mr Harper also has difficulty understanding revenue neutral. The problem is that Mr Dion's proposed tax neither raises new revenues nor helps the environment. Because his new taxes are offset by reductions in existing taxes, the government generates no extra income for the promotion of new technologies, the expansion of public transit or any other methods to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels.

    While Mr Harper is patting himself on the back for reducing taxes, we are compelled to ask how he intends funding alternate technologies or weaning us from fossil fuels. His oft-repeated ambition of being a secure energy supplier to the world indicates he has little or no desire to see the world or Canada use less petroleum any time soon.

    So the ultimate result is that voters who want the government to take a leadership role in tackling the impending energy crisis have no champion. Both leaders have put forth ineffective plans that will do little beyond securing votes from those who would have voted for them anyway. In other words, the same old same old.
  22. Don Jenkins from Canada writes: Freddie B from Woodbridge: I could tell you were informed and had an argument worth reflecting on by your choice of opening words: 'Dipstick Dion'. The 'blind liberal followers' comment moments later showed me you are well-educated have an excellent point. You misspelled liar, made a very strange and factually unquantifiable statement about Dion 'flip flopping more than any opposition leader in history' (I'd LOVE to see the numbers on that, 'Freddie'). By the time you got to 'mush brain libbies', I KNEW you were on to something, a point of view to be upheld and respected. The reference to liberals more than tories being known to drive gas guzzlers shows me you're truly in touch with reality, a real empath, a true observer... Oh, then it's not at all Harper's responsibility, as the person we elected to do for all of us what we can't individually organize on our own, but yes, you're right, it's just our fault, and the position of the PM is ... inform me, genius.
  23. Building an Ark from Eastern Slopes, Canada writes: Don Jenkins from Canada writes:Yet... the carbon tax plan Dion is proposing has CLEARLY been stated as being a revenue neutral tax and is also going hand in hand with lowering personal taxes so we're actually taxing the things that are bad and lowering it on things that are good.

    Stated??? that's just great Don, next time you get a statement about the Gun Registry costing only 2 Million, get back up in writing. You are being duped - there is no money coming back to your household - revenue neutral is a Government of Canada term, and they might spend money elsewhere - then again they might not. We have a carbon tax on gas now - only it was to reduce the debt. So much for saving PlanetCanada.
    Don you need some land I've got some carbon swamp for your cash!
  24. Harper Conservatives Lie, Bribe, Violate laws and shut down democracy from Canada writes:

    What was it Steven the liar said when in opposition..............freeze the tax when gas went over .80/litre.
    How many more lies???
  25. Tony . from Waterloo, Canada writes: True North from Canada writes: 'Harper's government is making a killing in tax revenues on oil and gas.'

    Actually they aren't really benefiting that much. The tax on gasoline is mostly fixed at a per-litre value, so even as the price goes up, the tax revenue stays the same. The only exception to this is the GST which is charged on top of the price. This means the Feds make an extra $0.01/litre for every $0.21/litre increase in the price you pay at the pump.

    Right now they are earning the same amount with the GST at 5% and gas at $1.25 as they did when the GST was 7% and gas was $0.85.

    The only other way that the Feds are benefiting from high oil and gas prices is through corporate income tax from the oil and gas companies that are making a lot of money right now.
  26. Late 4 Work from Canada writes: J S, good for you that you ride a bike. If you really are 'overjoyed' by the high price of gas you must be growing your own food, and raising your own farm animals.

    High gasoline prices are not a good thing. If you think high gas prices are going to solve the worlds enviromental problems you are dreaming. Cows give off more CO2 then todays automobiles.

  27. Don Jenkins from Canada writes: Building an Ark from Eastern Slopes: Another persuasive argument. You guys must have gone to Ambrose College.
  28. Mike L. from Canada writes: Alan Pater from Vancouver, Canada writes: 'Cut consumption by 10% per year and prices will go down. Plus you'll be doing your kids the favour of avoiding catastrophic climate change.'

    I've already done that. By dropping my speed to the legal limit instead of the 'unofficial' 20 over, my average fuel consumption has gone from 7.7 to 7.0 L/100 km. I did some analysis and discovered that doing this added a whopping 3-4 minutes to my commute (and I have a 104 km each way commute which fortunately I only do once every 1-2 weeks). Most people with a shorter commute won't even notice the difference.

    Based on my drive home tonight though, not too many people have gotten the message. Slow down to the speed limit, then you'll have the right to complain about gasoline prices. People driving over the limit and groaning about high gas prices is like having unprotected sex and complaining about the resulting pregnancy.
  29. Imperial K from Canada writes: well the taxpayers federation can also guarantee that once those taxes are cut, that big oil will not simply just take that too? we pay right now the price we pay, so if you remove the taxes...oil companies will simply raise the price to absorb the money cut in taxes, and where would that go? out of country to rich investors no where even near canada. to imperial king makers in the u.s and europe. the days of granny gums owning a bit of an oil company and living on it are LONG gone, these are uberleaders exercising world control at emperor palpatine levels. Cut those taxes, and canada looses all that income on wasteful driving, that will only be absorbed by big oil in a matter of months. Let's say they cut 25cents from teh tax...how long before it crept back up by 25cents? I give in two months.
  30. Anna Elizabeth from Canada writes: I wonder how much it will be when India buys some of our oil patch.
    In Ontario, may be we should get some gas from Chavez in Venezuela, probably a great deal cheaper.
    I do remember Harper saying, if Gas goes over .85 cent a liter, he will remove the GST from gas...Ha, ha !!!!
  31. Building an Ark from Eastern Slopes, Canada writes: Don Jenkins from Canada writes: Building an Ark from Eastern Slopes: Another persuasive argument. You guys must have gone to Ambrose College.

    Huh? and you must have drank from the Red Book, oh right the GST was to be abolished. Same issue of today's G&M has tourism way down for Canada. Answer me this oh educated sage Don, how would extra costs for gas help for out of Country visitors? Revenue Neutral Carbon Tax is an oxymoron...
  32. Will Hoaccio from Toronto, Canada writes: Logic, 1 : Absolutely Retarded Pork Barreling, 0
  33. sean smith from Canada writes: Meanwhile the oil companies are raking in record profits and the CEO's are laughing all the way to the bank. Of course Harpo will never have anything to say about that - no puppet disobeys their master.
  34. Closely Watching from Canada writes: Fact is Harper has no idea what to do. He has squandered the budget surplus he was left by the Liberals and he is out of any options to help the economy without crating a deficit. Now Harper can only echo Flaherty's famous line 'It's not my fault'.
  35. Don Jenkins from Canada writes: Building an Ark from Eastern Slopes: You demonstrate the ill-fated thinking of the Tory every time. Choose your blame on your bias - you blame the Liberals for not abolishing the GST, but not the PC's for bringing it in to begin with. Why is that?

    Your question about out-of-country visitors doesn't make any sense. Even if it did, how is this tax different from any other service or product tax, provincial tax, we have? If you can explain it better, I will try my best to answer.
  36. Walker fromtheevilempireofAB from Calgary, Canada writes: Cutting the gas tax is not a solution, let's face it the government needs the revenue.

    Honestly what do you expect Harper to do? Pull 5mmbbl/d oil production out of a hat?

    Oil's a commodity, demand is high, supply is tight. With a weakening US dollar investors are pouring money into oil which is helping to drive up the price.

    oh yea, where's the crowd yelling to cut oilsands production? Anyone? Should we cut back on oilpatch investment or increase it? What'ya'll hypocrits want? Save the environment or cheap oil? Make up your mind would ya!
  37. Tony . from Waterloo, Canada writes: BEN DOVER from WESTERN CANADA, Canada writes: '$1.25.7? Where the hell can you get gas for $1.25.7? Must be in Toronto or Ottawa. We are up to $1.34.7'

    $1.25 is about the going rate around here. Ontario has among the lowest gas taxes in the country, as well as the most competition due to high population, plus 4 large refineries in the area.

    I'm not sure where you are in Western Canada, but if you're in Vancouver then that would explain the price you're seeing. B.C. charges about the same tax as Ontario at the Provincial level but Vancouver adds on 6 cents per litre at the municipal level. Plus gasoline is more expensive because B.C. is a smaller market and needs to import most of it's gasoline (there are only 2 small refineries in the Province).
  38. Pete Kauchak, Green Tory from Cascasdia, Canada writes: sean smith from Canada writes: Meanwhile the oil companies are raking in record profits and the CEO's are laughing all the way to the bank. Of course Harpo will never have anything to say about that - no puppet disobeys their master.

    It's called a free market economy..Sean ..deal with it. The Oil Companies don't price oil ...the markets do. BTW Canada pays less for gas than most other industrialized nations. Of course you can always nationalize our oil industry, put thousands out of work and break up the country.
  39. Mike L. from Canada writes: Late 4 Work from Canada writes: 'Cows give off more CO2 then todays automobiles. '

    I doubt that. CO2 emissions are directly proportional to fuel consumption. Any combustion process will give off CO2 in direct proportion to the amount of carbon consumed. An SUV that burns twice as much fuel as a subcompact will give off twice as much CO2. Cows will give off as much CO2 as any other animal, roughly, in their size category.

    Methane emissions are a different issue though, and cows do, umm, fart a lot and thus give off a lot of methane. Cars do not.
  40. Red-necked and loving it from Canada writes: Alan Pater from Vancouver, Canada writes: Cut consumption by 10% per year and prices will go down. Plus you'll be doing your kids the favour of avoiding catastrophic climate change.

    Not even close! For the demand / supply curve to work, you need substitution. Price of hamburgers go up: you buy hot dogs. Price of oil goes up - you buy????
    We need coal to liquid. The technology is old but proven and at even half today's oil price, very lucrative. There is no carbon neutral alternative to oil and the sooner the environmental idiots are told to shut the ____up, the sooner we can move forward to bring things back to an even keel.
  41. Louise Fribance from Abbotsford, Canada writes: Dan Mcteague says: 'If prices keep rising unchecked, it could bring the Canadian economy “to its knees'. I supposed a carbon tax on gas won't do that? How typical Liberal talk: from both sides of the mouth.
  42. Matt The Good from Canada writes: What? Who suggested he should cut gas taxes in the first place?

    This whole thing smells of propaganda... It's like Harper is going to come out tomorrow and say, 'Sorry, but despite the demands of the liberals, we're not legalizing murder...' so all his cronies and supporters can say, 'What a guy!'

    Even the left thinks gas should be MORE expensive so people drive less.
  43. Gary Dare from Portland, Oregon, Canada, writes: Tony . writes, 'The best way to help people with high gas prices is to raise the personal exemption level.' While economists generally favour cutting income taxes over sales (consumption) taxes, Canada in general is in greater need of tariff cuts which has effects of both (lower purchase price, extends purchasing power of after-tax income).
  44. Building an Ark from Eastern Slopes, Canada writes: Don Jenkins from Canada writes: Building an Ark from Eastern Slopes: You demonstrate the ill-fated thinking of the Tory every time. Choose your blame on your bias - you blame the Liberals for not abolishing the GST, but not the PC's for bringing it in to begin with. Why is that?

    Don you must have a lot of free time on your keyboard. I'm no partisan, I'm all for less Government and social prescription. btw the Manufacturing tax was replaced by the GST so introduction is the wrong word. Second as the good people that I know in the US come North - they are taken aback at how much Canadians willfully pay out in taxation - we love to serve I suppose. In the end a Carbon tax reaches farther than you or Saint Dion can imagine, how will it help farming (unintended consequence) how will it help everything that arrives via trucking(unintended consequence) how will it help Seniors on a fixed income who have seen energy chew up the meger monthly stippend they survive on(unintended consequence). How does inflationary pressures brought on by GOVERNMENT help Canadians? btw if you come to these boards to coorect spelling you are truly in an elite class of your own making...
  45. King 99 from Canada writes: It's the guys on Wall Street controling the price now. So you mean to say if the gov. dropped the tax ten cents that the big oil cos. wouldn't cover that drop? Maybe what you should be thinking about is all the Major Banks in the U.S. that are in such diar straits that they are the ones profiting in the trading of oil futures right now. There was the lending crisis. What better way to recover from your losses than to ratchet up the price of oil artificially through the trading of futures. The Arabs can't understand it. They've said they have enough oil. The stores of oil and gas are way up in the U.S. So why is the price up? Speculation via the futures market. Look at the Big Banks in the U.S.
  46. Kris Carruthers from victoria, Canada writes: first they say cutting gas taxes won't help then they say the 2% GST cut is a break in taxes and has helped offset the rising gas price...which one is it?
  47. Luke P from Vancouver, Canada writes: It hurts to say it, but I disagree with people who say fuel prices would be even higher, unless you're willing to pay more for literally everything you buy, especially in a country like Canada, where travel distances are higher than most industrialized nations.

    Be very careful what you wish for - $200/barrel oil could easily translate into $7 for a litre of milk.
  48. Freddie B from Woodbridge from Canada writes: Don Jenkins from Canada writes:I could tell you were informed and had an argument worth reflecting on by your choice of opening words: 'Dipstick Dion'. Oh, then it's not at all Harper's responsibility, as the person we elected to do for all of us what we can't individually organize on our own,
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Donnie!! Yet you still responded. I elected Harper to run the country not run my life. If you want a leader to run your life, look to Saudi Arabia. I believe that they will run your life and also tell you what to think. But it is refreshing to know that there are ultra intelligent beings such as yourself around. Yes, you are right, Dipsh1t (is that better than dipstick) Dion doesn't flip flop. I don't know where I would get that from. Oh wait, I know! I actually read and listen and don't live on prozac as you must. Anyone that thinks that dion is not the Flip Flop King is living in denial.

    I apologize to all the posters I have offended. Sometimes I miss keys and leave out letters. But the Super Brain Donnie Jenkins will point out all our mistakes.
  49. A Concerned Canadian from Vancouver, Canada writes: This government has done nothing to help or assist the average Canadian. As food costs rise right alongside of gas prices Harper will continue to collect his gas tax and sent the proceeds to Afghanistan.

    If his self serving government was putting a percentage of the gas tax revenues to food banks to help those struggling to feed their families I would have some respect for Harper and his government.
  50. Building an Ark from Eastern Slopes, Canada writes: Don Jenkins from Canada writes: Yet... the carbon tax plan Dion is proposing has CLEARLY been stated

    By Dion? He hasn't had a clear comment/ statement or anything else uttered from his mouth since...??? It's alright Don is here to state his case.
  51. Jeremy K from vancouver canada, Canada writes: BS
    This is more pandering to corporations as the expense of the public. the PM could (and should) slap an excess profits tax onto the oil companies for any barrel of oil that they charge over 100$ a barrel for. I don't mind paying a lot of oil if i was getting some kind of benefit for it (like the Europeans do). however I don't like paying huge money to some corporation where it disappears. At least if the high prices were due to taxes then i would get some kind of material benefit for it in the form of improved roads/hopsitals/schools/military/etc.
  52. I R from White Rock, BC, Canada writes: Five years from now the Royal Inquiry into prices of oil will reveal that the Harper government did not lift a finger in the face of price manipulation.
  53. jan bakker from Canada writes: Seems some here think higher fuel prices are a good thing,not realizing that its directly proportional to soaring food and commodity prices.
  54. I R from White Rock, BC, Canada writes: I sometimes wonder if this is a testing of the waters for a price jump that will ensue when the Americans and Israelis attack Iran next month.
  55. Allan Eizinas from Simcoe, Canada writes: .
    'Monday, May 17, 2004,

    Federal Conservative Leader Stephen Harper said Ottawa could easily reduce the price of gasoline by two to five cents a litre. He renewed his call for the federal government to stop double-taxing gasoline through the GST.

    Harper said Ottawa could also reduce its surtax on gasoline, introduced in the mid-1990s, as a deficit-fighting measure. Natural Resources Minister John Efford rejected the notion yesterday, saying it would do nothing to ease the pain at the pumps.

    What a buch of bullpuckies!?!
  56. Eric Hunter from Kingsville, Canada writes: For you people that wish high prices on people... think about WHO that hurts. It hurts the poor people. The people that make minimum wage. Those are the people that won't be able to get to work anymore. Those are the people that won't be able to afford to eat anymore when the food starts going up up up. Those are the people that will be starving, and may turn to crime. Hopefully they'll attack the people here that wish this upon people first. It'll also be the people that are using oil for heat and don't have a lot of income. Do you really wish high prices on them? There are some rather spiteful people on here.
  57. george miller from naples fla, United States Outlying writes: Canadians give off even more CO2 than cows. With all your so called knowledge, criticizing & opinions of the USA, did you know your are paying $1.00 a gallon more then the US when you do all the calculations @ 1.26 per litre. But then, you used to paying through the nose for cars, food, clothes & booze
  58. Uncle Fester from What's Left, Ont, Canada writes: When Harper was opposition leader he promised to eliminate the GST on Gasoline when the price hit 85cents per litre.
  59. Mark Holman from Canada writes: Thanks to the enviromentalists we now have high energy prices. I hope that your stupid policies will show the Canadian public that it's very important to develop more of our resources and also, bring back manufacturing to this country, rather than shipping them off overseas to other countries. Remember, gas doesn't come from the gas station down the street. I hope you like the price!
  60. Tony . from Waterloo, Canada writes: Trillian Rand from Canada writes: 'The problem is that Mr Dion's proposed tax neither raises new revenues nor helps the environment.'

    I disagree with this. A PROPER revenue-neutral tax shift would reduce corporate and personal income taxes by the same amount of money as the new carbon tax raises.

    The income tax reductions will be flat regardless of lifestyle, while the carbon tax will be highest on those that consume the most. The average Canadian will come out even, those that conserve energy will be rewarded while those that use more than average will be in the hole.

    There are some potential issues with this though. First, it's difficult to make a tax revenue neutral. Even best-case you still end up with some overhead, though if you're smart you eliminate overhead as well. Second it will benefit certain businesses and hurt other businesses based on the nature of their work. Of course, so long as there is sufficient competition, both extra costs and savings will be passed through to consumers so this will be a wash.

    Finally it benefits some individuals and hurts others based on where they live. This is the most controversial aspect of a carbon tax (well, most controversial beyond the basic premise of climate change that is). Rural folk will tend to pay more then city folk due to differences in lifestyles. Of course, where one lives is a lifestyle choice that can be changed. Also the products that are produced in rural areas are mostly sold to people in urban areas, so these individuals and companies can counteract their higher costs through higher prices as city-dwellers. Still this is likely to be the biggest sticking point on any carbon tax plans.
  61. Freddie B from Woodbridge from Canada writes: george miller from naples fla, United States Outlying writes: Canadians give off even more CO2 than cows. With all your so called knowledge, criticizing & opinions of the USA, did you know your are paying $1.00 a gallon more then the US when you do all the calculations @ 1.26 per litre. But then, you used to paying through the nose for cars, food, clothes & booze.
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Wow!!! You are just a s smart as Donnie Jenkins. We pay through the nose but guess where George Bush ives it to you!!
  62. Geoffrey May from Canada writes: Att Joe Canada , I'm one AGW subscriber, who is not thrilled with high fuel prices.Yes they lower demand, but don't provide any options .I actually would prefer a system of gas rationing, forcing lower demand accross the board, while maintaining affordability.I see no reason not to impose a super windfall tax on corporate profits stemming from current crisis.The likelihood of increased oil prices ,with obvious negative reprecussions accross the economy provide an incentive to making emmission cuts , in the immedeate short term .We need to create a transportation, manufacturing global infrastructure, that is not oil dependant .With oil prices soaring, who would argue for the status quo?
  63. Fake Name from Canada writes: He's basically right on this one. Now that the O&G companies have determined people will still buy the same amount of gas at $1.30/L, any tax cut would just be followed by a price increase.

    It would be different if the gasoline market was based on actual competition (instead of collusion and price-fixing), but I don't think there are very many people naive enough to actually think that's how it works. They've got a captive market - much better to come up with a cozy little arrangement to divide the profits than to fool around with price wars that hurt the bottom line.
  64. R. Carriere from Maritimes, Canada writes:

    Again, a weak government response, and an ignorant Official Opposition response of another tax-a Carbon Tax to make thinks worse falsely trying to sell the utmost stupidity of the new terminology of being ' Revenue Neutral!'

    When will a leader stand up and say, Canada will start a new comprehensive energy plan for transport and homes for the Planet?

    'The Energy Manhattan Project!'

    Imagine if a true Leader stood up with the following:

    ' We will increase the GST by 1% and have $5 Billion dollars per year dedicated to hire the best minds from the planet to find and fund Canadian made solutions.'

    ' Once achieved, we will sell this technology around the world, patent it, and be the net tax benafactors of the revenues we receive.'

    $ 5 BILLION buys a lot of people and ideas, but if we need to, we will increase the GST another point and have $10 BILLION dollars to find the world solutions!'

    ' Jim Ballsilie of RIM will be in charge.'

    'A country put a man on the moon in 1969 and brought him back safely-How could this be more difficult, almost 40 years later, with the tools and brain power today?'

    Do I have your vote?
    .
  65. garry heaps from toronto-home of urban voters, Canada writes: i remember seeing all the interviews with little steve'r frothing at the mouth swearing he would cut gst on gas when he was elected. so much for that pipe dream.
  66. Robert Loblaw from Canada, Canada writes: Don Jenkins - 'Yet... the carbon tax plan Dion is proposing has CLEARLY been stated as being a revenue neutral tax and is also going hand in hand with lowering personal taxes so we're actually taxing the things that are bad and lowering it on things that are good.' ,

    Revenue neutral?

    Who will implement the tax, collect it, calculate the refunds or tax breaks to taxpayers - Santa's elves?

    Every tax has overheads associated with its administration, which means that whatever amount is collected will be reduced by the cost of administering it.

    But you knew this didn't you Don?

    Still believe in revenue neutrality - I have a perpetual motion machine I am building and need a few investors. Interested in contributing a few thousand?
  67. Bobby Dy from Edmonton, Canada writes: Increase taxes on income for the oil industry and cut personal taxes. High gas prices will only encourage increases in efficiency. Exactly what we need. Right now prices are driven entirely by speculators. Apparently, we are already in a situation where supply is exceeding demand so the market principles should have already led to lower oil prices. On the other hand, there is a very interesting article in the Toronto Star today talking about how changes in global energy costs reduce the advantage of manufacturing in far off places (cheap labor is offset by the high cost of transport) thereby favoring, in the longer term, a resurgence of N. American manufacturing. This would be further enhanced if a carbon tax was added to imports from countries that don't act sufficiently to curb their carbon consumption (i.e., China). If you are paying too much for gas, get out of that massive SUV or Dodge Ram and drive something more suitable for your needs (basic transportation).
  68. Kenneth Yurchuk from Toronto, Canada writes: Windfall profit taxes! Illegal to pass on to the consumer! Revenues reinvested into alternative energy research and productiom.
  69. Bobby Dy from Edmonton, Canada writes: R. Carriere, there was a very interesting documentary on Brazil and their move from fossil fuels the last time oil prices surged this high (70's). Apparently, alternative energy was beginning to make some headway then but it all collapsed when the oil price collapsed. Now is not the time to turn our back on the research and technology development in alternative energy that these prices fuel. You are absolutely right that the main thing missing is the political will to make this a priority and actually invest significantly in trying to find cleaner and more sustainable alternatives. These are emerging in solar, for example. We can solve this problem in a way where we will all win in the long run.
  70. Kenneth Yurchuk from Toronto, Canada writes: Pretty good RC. About the same time as you were writing that I was proposing a windfall profit tax to use in the same way.
  71. Antonio San from Canada writes: Oil is priced in USD and since USD goes down -CAD too by the way- against other currencies such as Euro Swiss Franc and Pound, Oil prices are rising. Carbon tax is just another tax grab based on the fraudulent science of AGW theory. If you want gas relief use Maalox.
  72. P Jones from NB, Canada writes: Don Jenkins from Canada writes: ... the carbon tax plan Dion is proposing has CLEARLY been stated as being a revenue neutral tax and is also going hand in hand with lowering personal taxes so we're actually taxing the things that are bad and lowering it on things that are good.
    _________________

    Are you kidding me? You actually believe Dion??? Yeah, he's our environmental saviour alright ... he and Suzuki and Gore and any other crook that wants to take the taxpayer for all they're worth.
  73. Tom W from Vancouver, Taiwan writes: Those attacking Dion's carbon tax miss the mark; the cap and trade system Harper and other parties have proposed will have the same result (eventually) in raising the costs of carbon laden fuels as companies effected will pass the cost down to consumers.
  74. Antonio San from Canada writes: Increasing taxes on made in China products? Good idea but since Canadians were so eager to despise Americans and give their business away, it would come and bite... Canadians' butts. What goes around comes around short minded envious northern neighbors...
  75. Robert Loblaw from Canada, Canada writes: R. Carriere - Good idea, but the chances of any government pursuing such an agenda are slim.

    Maybe when energy prices become the flavour du jour, governments will be motivated to attack the problem by seriously attempting to develop alternatives.

    The problem then will be in keeping the cost of the alternatives from rising to meet the cost of oil.
  76. P Jones from NB, Canada writes: Don Jenkins from Canada writes: Harper is the champion of the environment. He is going to deliver us from climate change. Suzuki and all the other experts backing Dion's plan are just revenue-grubbing jerks who use the environment as a cover for their real intent: to get rich and destroy the world doing it ...
    _________________

    Ah, so you DO get it.
  77. nick oliver from halifax, ns, Canada writes: i know such things don't enter Harper's lexicon but he could always raise taxes. you just do it to the right people: those with the biggest ability to pay.
    we could always raise corporate taxes on the oil companies and use the extra revenue to lower the taxes on gas at the pump. with oil at $130 , threats to stop production are empty. with oil company profits at record highs, pleading that they can't afford to pay a little extra tax is a joke. are execs and shareholders so greedy that rampant inflation and rising prices for the entire nation on food and everything else for which price increases are directly related to the high cost of fuel are preferable to a slightly higher dividend cheque? what's more important? more concentrated wealth in the top 10% at the expense of everyone else over the last 15 years, as the g&m revealed just a week or so ago? or a national economy that is that much more stable as a result of john q. public being able to withstand a bit more of the impact of high fuel prices?

    as we watch inflation climb, i'm curious to see just how quickly the conservatives will change their message just to hold onto power. will they keep on insisting they are powerless to do anything as life gets harder and harder for the majority of ordinary folks? i can't see them running on that as platform as regular folks watch that top 10% get richer as a result of their economic misery.
  78. Harper Lied from Canada writes: Didn't Harper solemnly PROMISE that when gas exceeded 85 cents per liter he would drop Federal tax on it?

    You don't suppose Harper was LYING to us AGAIN to do?

    Harper is an utter disgrace to Canada and anyone who doesn't see it is delusional.
  79. P Jones from NB, Canada writes: Trillian Rand from Canada writes: From the article: 'The implementation of a carbon tax would be more about raising revenue than helping the environment, Mr. Harper said.'

    It seems Mr Harper also has difficulty understanding revenue neutral. The problem is that Mr Dion's proposed tax neither raises new revenues nor helps the environment. Because his new taxes are offset by reductions in existing taxes, ...
    _______________

    Oh, come on Trillian ... don't tell me you believe Dion? This is like bizarro world or something. How can you people actually believe Dion? How can you believe the previous Environment Minister that did squat for the environment?
  80. Billy Bee from E-mail the PM at pm@pm.gc.ca and let him know we're all pissed off!, Canada writes: If you don't like high gas prices send a note to the PM - pm@pm.gc.ca. Encourage your friends to do so as well.

    If enough of us make some noise Mr.-desparate-for-a-majority-govn't might get the point that Canadians can easily see through the CPC sound-bites. We're not as dumb as you think, Mr Harper!

    I am for one tired of the lip-service from this govn't - it sounds the same as the Fiberals before them. I'd actually like to see 'transparent, responsible and accountable govn't' for Canadians, not just big oil companies.
  81. P Jones from NB, Canada writes: R. Carriere from Maritimes, Canada writes:

    Again, a weak government response, and an ignorant Official Opposition response of another tax-a Carbon Tax to make thinks worse falsely trying to sell the utmost stupidity of the new terminology of being ' Revenue Neutral!'

    When will a leader stand up and say, Canada will start a new comprehensive energy plan for transport and homes for the Planet?

    'The Energy Manhattan Project!'

    Imagine if a true Leader stood up with the following:

    ' We will increase the GST by 1% and have $5 Billion dollars per year dedicated to hire the best minds from the planet to find and fund Canadian made solutions.'

    ' Once achieved, we will sell this technology around the world, patent it, and be the net tax benafactors of the revenues we receive.'
    ____________________

    Now THIS is more like it!
  82. A B from Canada writes: Harper Lied from Canada writes: Didn't Harper solemnly PROMISE that when gas exceeded 85 cents per liter he would drop Federal tax on it?

    You don't suppose Harper was LYING to us AGAIN to do?

    It won't be the last lie from this dictator.

    Glug, Glug, Glug.... The Good Ship HMCS 'StevieHarplerLiedAboutIncomeTrusts' is tendering salvage opportunities.... and is being towed to Stornaway for The Knife Ceremony.
  83. Michael Sharp from Victoria, Canada writes:

    Why is it that social progressives, who claim to be SO green and want to see GHGs reduced, are against high prices at the pump which will reduce consumption and therefore reduce GHGs?

    Is it that social progressives are the primary source of GHGs themselves?

    That is, full of methane?
  84. Kim Morton from Canada writes: What PM Harper needs to do is stand up to the oil traders and say'NO MORE' Then either legeslate domestic oil prices back down toaround $60/BBL or impose an export tax equal to the difference between what oil should be at and what it is now. This money could then be used to either eliminate personal income tax or subsudize the price of gas ans diesel. That would keep the money in Canada where it belongs and not in the hands of rich commodities traders.
  85. Michael Sharp from Victoria, Canada writes:

    This is the crux of Dion's madness.

    Everybody wants to be green.

    Nobody wants to pay for it.

    Especially if it means they can't drive their cars dirt cheap.

    Yoo hoo, Dion?

    You're insane.
  86. Geriatric Personage from St. Stephen, Canada writes: AGAIN, why is there no tax on aviation fuel. Taxing aviation fuel would reduce the price of automobile gas by at least 8 cents a litre.
  87. Dr Demento from Canada writes: Harper has cut the GST on gas by 2%, a tax reduction of 2/7 or 29%.

    Meanwhile gas prices have risen by 50% and his tax revenues from GST on gas (a tax on tax) have increased by 31% . . .
  88. Uncle Fester from What's Left, Ont, Canada writes: The only way for the federal government to bring down the price of fuel is to eliminate the GST and federal flat tax. Harper promised to eliminate the GST at 85cents/litre, and the 1.5 cent federal flat tax was sold to Canadians to pay for infrastructure while they were eliminating the deficit. Last I heard the deficit was eliminated, and most of the tax goes into general revenues. For every 10c/litre increase in gas the federal government brings in 100 million in tax dollars.
  89. The Oracle from Caimn Islands, Canada writes: Harper snubs ordinary Canadians. Caters to big Alberta oil.
  90. Gnarly Kanuck from Canada writes: Anybody believe Harper when he says he can't lower Gas Prices?

    Perhaps he should consider cutting the taxes charged at the Pump.

    The current price of Gas is a CASH COW for Stevie and there is no way he will cut the Governments share!

    If he was serious about lowering the price of gas then cut the CURRENT gas tax by 50% and get out of bed with the oil companies.
  91. Fake Name from Canada writes: ' R. Carriere from Maritimes, Canada writes:....
    Imagine if a true Leader stood up with the following:
    ' We will increase the GST by 1% and have $5 Billion dollars per year dedicated to hire the best minds from the planet to find and fund Canadian made solutions.'
    ' Once achieved, we will sell this technology around the world, patent it, and be the net tax benafactors of the revenues we receive.''

    I like it ... I'd vote for Prime Minister Carriere.
  92. Fake Name from Canada writes: ' Kim Morton from Canada writes: What PM Harper needs to do is stand up to the oil traders and say'NO MORE' Then either legeslate domestic oil prices back down toaround $60/BBL or impose an export tax equal to the difference between what oil should be at and what it is now.'

    Do you WANT to see a civil war with alberta against the ROC? Hint ... they have the majority of the armed pickup trucks in