The December 5 viewpoint [“Viewpoint: Is the carbon tax worth it?,” November 29]] prompted me to invite readers to learn about how misinformation is generated and spread. The piece is so skewed that I see it as misinformation.
The author claims the carbon tax is "too expensive of a price to pay for such little results."
Carbon pricing policies differ from province to province, but in those provinces where the federal policy is applied, economist Trevor Tombe explains, "A clear majority of households do receive rebates that are larger than the carbon taxes they pay for."
With respect to effectiveness, Canada's Ecofiscal Commission's document, "10 Myths about Carbon Pricing in Canada", explains that carbon pricing can be effective. For instance, "BC's emissions would be up to 15 per cent higher without its carbon tax."
Why is such misinformation gaining a foothold in our discourse? The Investigative Journalism Foundation and CBC Saskatchewan looked into the question and found that Pierre Poilievre has spent over $370,000 on Meta "axe the tax" ads. The fourth biggest spender is an outfit called Energy United, which spent over $174,000.
According to its website, the Energy United campaign was created by “...the Maple Leaf Institute [which has] strong links to oilsands advocacy group the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP) and the Saskatchewan Party."
Meanwhile, Generation Squeeze, a charity promoting "well-being for all generations," has a campaign to support pollution pricing. I join them in asking: Are you willing to stand up for the principle that when we make a mess, we should clean it up?
I feel awkward writing this. I want to applaud anyone, including the author, for caring enough to share their views. I want us to fix what's ailing our society, but how can we do that when we keep calling each other out?
There are ways to heal. Things like the Bridging Community Differences initiative through Westview Ratepayers Society and circles being hosted by qathet Community Justice. Participating in such efforts is part of cleaning up our discourse. Let's give them a try.
Jan Slakov, qathet
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