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The Prime Minister of Canada confirmed today the worst kept secret in Ottawa...the nation is going to the polls on October 14 (the day after the Canadian Thanksgiving holiday), a 37 day campaign before they choose a new federal government.
There is a substantial difference in political platforms (by Canadian standards) as the opposition Liberal Party earlier this year announced a "climate change" motivated carbon tax policy they call the "Green Shift".
The Green Shift proposes taxes on hydrocarbon transport and heating fuels (excluding gasoline) with the money being doled out by a "new" Liberal Federal Government to favoured "green/renewable/clean" energy alternatives [apologies for the sounds of wretching coming from this keyboard].
The natural resources/oil producing western part of the country sees this as another transfer of wealth from west to east, as it is quite certain that the vast majority of the government funds will be doled out in Quebec (home province of the Liberal leader) and vote-rich Ontario. This is shaping up to be one of the most divisive elections since the Pierre Trudeau Liberals brought us the 1980 National Energy Policy, which helped smash the economy of western Canada for more than a decade.
Interestingly, the provincial government in British Columbia brought in a "green" [carbon] tax on gasoline that initially had broad public support, based on the polling that was done as the policy was being developed. Now that BC drivers are experiencing first hand the cost of "saving the environment", support for the carbon tax has plummeted and to its dismay the government is in a wee spot o'trouble. It's possible the Federal Liberal Party will discover the same reaction as they are now stuck having to campaign against the Conservative Party's platform of "lower taxes, control government spending & avoid budget deficits" (Canada is the only G7 nation that has consistently run budget surpluses in the last decade).
I think this election could be a real litmus test of how much voter support climate-change related tax policies are likely to receive in developed nation democracies as the global economy slows and inflation settles in for a long-term visit. If carbon taxes cannot be sold to the "kinder, gentler, soft and cuddly" voters of Canada, I seriously question how they'll play in places like the UK, France, and the USA.
Regardless, the campaign promises to be nasty, brutish and short (to paraphrase Thomas Hobbes)...quite possibly the preferable way to run any election campaign??
There is a substantial difference in political platforms (by Canadian standards) as the opposition Liberal Party earlier this year announced a "climate change" motivated carbon tax policy they call the "Green Shift".
The Green Shift proposes taxes on hydrocarbon transport and heating fuels (excluding gasoline) with the money being doled out by a "new" Liberal Federal Government to favoured "green/renewable/clean" energy alternatives [apologies for the sounds of wretching coming from this keyboard].
The natural resources/oil producing western part of the country sees this as another transfer of wealth from west to east, as it is quite certain that the vast majority of the government funds will be doled out in Quebec (home province of the Liberal leader) and vote-rich Ontario. This is shaping up to be one of the most divisive elections since the Pierre Trudeau Liberals brought us the 1980 National Energy Policy, which helped smash the economy of western Canada for more than a decade.
Interestingly, the provincial government in British Columbia brought in a "green" [carbon] tax on gasoline that initially had broad public support, based on the polling that was done as the policy was being developed. Now that BC drivers are experiencing first hand the cost of "saving the environment", support for the carbon tax has plummeted and to its dismay the government is in a wee spot o'trouble. It's possible the Federal Liberal Party will discover the same reaction as they are now stuck having to campaign against the Conservative Party's platform of "lower taxes, control government spending & avoid budget deficits" (Canada is the only G7 nation that has consistently run budget surpluses in the last decade).
I think this election could be a real litmus test of how much voter support climate-change related tax policies are likely to receive in developed nation democracies as the global economy slows and inflation settles in for a long-term visit. If carbon taxes cannot be sold to the "kinder, gentler, soft and cuddly" voters of Canada, I seriously question how they'll play in places like the UK, France, and the USA.
Regardless, the campaign promises to be nasty, brutish and short (to paraphrase Thomas Hobbes)...quite possibly the preferable way to run any election campaign??
Harper, Dion begin campaign heralding 'clear' and 'stark' choice for Oct. 14 vote
Norma Greenaway and Andrew Mayeda, Canwest News Service
Published: 9:10 am
OTTAWA -- Prime Minister Stephen Harper pulled the plug on his own minority government on Sunday, setting off a national election campaign that will send voters to the polls on Oct. 14 at a cost of about $300 million.
Harper said the campaign will give voters a choice "between clear direction or uncertainty" at a time of global economic trouble, and said his government's record proves it will be a sound steward in the future.
Norma Greenaway and Andrew Mayeda, Canwest News Service
Published: 9:10 am
OTTAWA -- Prime Minister Stephen Harper pulled the plug on his own minority government on Sunday, setting off a national election campaign that will send voters to the polls on Oct. 14 at a cost of about $300 million.
Harper said the campaign will give voters a choice "between clear direction or uncertainty" at a time of global economic trouble, and said his government's record proves it will be a sound steward in the future.
are much greater than Stephane, but a lot worse than Mulroney; so you get the picture...
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