Vision Green: Carbon Tax

Vision Green presents rational, realistic solutions to the challenges facing Canadians. This month, we focus on our carbon plan, which is a crucial element to any viable climate change strategy.

For too long we have allowed the atmosphere to be a free dumping ground for harmful greenhouse gases. We must put an end to this practice by placing a price on polluting our atmosphere by taxing things that emit carbon dioxide, like gasoline, natural gas and coal. Goods and services that cause very high emissions would therefore become relatively more expensive. This would create an incentive for everyone to make economic choices that contribute less to climate change.

This policy is a tax shift, not a tax grab, as it will reduce taxes on income and payroll. Because of this shift, this tax will be largely revenue neutral. Not only will this tax reduce our incentive to use high emission goods, it will stimulate industry to invest in alternative energy sources for a clean and green future.

This policy has the support of many prominent academics, economists, and policy makers from across the political spectrum. Most recently, the National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy recommended that Canada adopt a carbon tax. The Green Party of Canada is currently the only Party in the country that supports the policy.

To learn more about this policy, visit our Carbon Tax FAQ at www.greenparty.ca/en/background/06.06.2007b.

To learn more about our other policies in Vision Green visit www.greenparty.ca/en/policy/visiongreen.