Toronto Sun
Paige T. MacPherson | Guest Columnist
January 14, 2015
Ontarians are smiling right now because of low gasoline prices.
For Premier Kathleen Wynne’s government, it’s the perfect political opportunity to slip in a carbon tax, without immediately slapping off those smiles.
But there’s bad news coming.
It’s on the freezing cold days of winter that we love our carbon — or more accurately our industrial carbon dioxide emissions from burning fossil fuels — the most.
We choose driving over transit. We crank up the heat.
At home we turn on the gas fireplace. We buy sweaters and layer them.
We make big, warm, hearty meals.
If we’re lucky, we take a trip down south.
There’s nothing wrong with any of that.
Yet all these activities would be made more expensive with a carbon tax.
The price of oil is low now, but once it bounces back — and the Ontario government better hope it does if it plans to stay on Alberta’s equalization train — we’ll feel the pinch at the pumps.
A carbon tax on top of other taxes and regulations is part of what made the lower mainland of B.C. home to the 10 highest gas price jurisdictions in North America in 2013.
In Ontario, a carbon tax would add to the pile: We already have a gas tax and we pay HST on top of that!
The B.C. government lauds its seven-cents-per-litre carbon tax, saying it reduced emissions.
Lucky for folks in the lower mainland, they’re close to the U.S., allowing for what is referred to as the “Blaine Drain”: British Columbians traveling across the border to Blaine, Washington for cheaper gas.
Taxpayers in Ontario might be surprised by a carbon tax.
It wasn’t in Wynne’s election platform.
But the idea has been in the works since 2008, when former premier Dalton McGuinty called the shots.
But in June, after the election campaign, Wynne told reporters she had no plans to implement a carbon tax.
Yet it wouldn’t be a surprising “revenue tool” (read tax) from a government convinced it has a revenue problem, not a spending problem.
The Liberals think they’re not taxing us enough and it’s this lack of revenue that’s to blame for their massive deficit.
A carbon tax is the new sin tax.
Only those of us naughty enough to drive cars and own businesses will be punished, right?
We need to change our behaviour, fall in line with what the government deems appropriate.
Less drinking, smoking and driving.
But consuming carbon isn’t a “sinful” luxury like alcohol or cigarettes, in which we can choose to indulge.
Carbon dioxide is a necessary byproduct of daily activity.
A carbon tax is a tax on gas, but also on food, clothing, travel and enjoying the comfort of our homes (which in Toronto cost so much).
There’s nothing sinful about consuming energy.
Not only is it a necessity; our technological advancement in energy use is a big part of how we’ve improved the quality of life for people of all incomes.
In Ontario, if you’re entering the workforce or starting a business, be prepared to be taxed to the max.
Between the Ontario Retirement Pension Plan payroll tax, the tax on airplane fuel, and a looming carbon tax, “saving” money is a concept of yesteryear.
Don’t worry though; the government can do that for you.
They’re pretty good at managing your money … right?
— MacPherson is a contributor to Sun News Networ