As most of us are aware, the Liberal Green Shift shafts everyone, but it is really great to see counselors from the nation's capital come out swinging against the Green Shift.
Two Ottawa City Councillors suggest the Liberals Green Shift plan would cost Ottawa taxpayers at least an additional $3.5 million.
In a letter to Liberal leader Stephane Dion, Doug Thompson and Glenn Brooks say preliminary research into the impact of a carbon tax on Ottawa's operating budget has "alarming results."
They claim the Liberals carbon tax would increase OC Transpo's diesel fuel bill by $2.74 million, and Ottawa's fleet vehicle budget by $791-thousand.
Thompson and Brooks ask Dion if he is prepared to amend the tax to mitigate the new costs that the Green Shift plan will impose on Ottawa's "already tight budget."
The municipal budget at Ottawa is already heavily strained, there a massive property tax and surcharges raised every year. The Liberal Green Shift will only make this worse.
Say no against the Green Shift, it is bad policy and seriously bad economics.
We're better off with Harper.
7 comments:
Those numbers seem to deal only with diesel and gas for fleet vehicles, but what about the other big costs for such things as heat and power?
I expect the hit to power costs to be much greater than that of the fuel costs for city vehicles, and then there is the cost of heating all of those city buildings.
Triple that 3.5 million estimate and then you might be close to what a carbon tax will cost taxpayers.
Dion's tax cuts will not come close to what you are going to have to pay for your property taxes alone, never mind yor own power and heating costs.
I bet Dion will not mention that in tonight's debate.
Yes, but according to Dion and his pals at the Suzuki foundation and the Sierry Club, things like heat, power and public transport are things that we don't want because they cause carbon "pollution".
If they are so concerned about the burden on taxpayers they should concentrate on cleaning up city hall. How much are "WE" going to be on the hook for these fines related to the sewage spills? I still fail to see how we end up paying for the mistakes of the people we pay to do things.
anon, you are correct.
These costs are preliminary. For diesel fuel costs only.
In addition to heat and hydro, don't forget the increased costs in services that the city consumes.
Most goods and services will also increase in price.
Nothing in the Ottawa Sun or anywhere else though - they'd rather talk about 5 year old speeches.
"Triple that 3.5 million estimate and then you might be close to what a carbon tax will cost taxpayers."
Throwing around incorrect calculations and figures is the best way to argue a point :)
If the conservatives care so much for the economy, why does that care extend only to the very-near future (even then, the effect on GDP from a carbon tax wont be significant and in the future it will be positive)? Shifting to a greener economy is just good business. Stop complaining about a relatively minor hit to your wallet since it will be a much bigger hit if we leave this problem any longer. Does anyone here actually think it will be cheaper to move away from fossil fuels in the future, as opposed to now?
Also, does anyone even care that there is a consensus among experts that a revenue-neutral carbon tax is the best way to reduce GHG emissions without negatively affecting the economy? - If anyone cares to dispute this, provide some references for me to check your information (references must be something other than the conservative website please).
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