Canada is gearing up for an Oct. 14 election between two main candidates with similar first names but little in common policy-wise. Liberal leader Stephane Dion is campaigning for a "Green Shift" that would include a carbon tax on most fuels, excepting gasoline. Revenue would be used to cut income and business taxes as well as providing incentives for clean energy. Dion on Friday proposed a $542 million program to improve energy efficiency in Canada -- "one of the less energy-efficient countries of the world" -- including improved building standards and tax incentives for home retrofits. His opponent, incumbent Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper, isn't touting any particular environmental platform, and vehemently opposes a carbon tax, saying that "the results for the economy will be disastrous." Harper's government has pledged to cut Canada's fossil-fuel emissions 20 percent by 2020 and halve air pollution by 2015, but has been vague on specific steps.
Livin' and Dion
Environment and energy hot topics in Canadian election 2
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morganmghee Posted 4:42 am
13 Sep 2008
The proposed tax -- unveiled at a boisterous Liberal rally in Ottawa -- will hit electricity and home heating fuel but exempt gasoline at the pumps, which Dion said was already taxed.
According to background documents, consumers will feel some impact, but the Liberals say extra fuel costs will be balanced off by income tax breaks and benefit increases. The average heating costs for homes that use oil are expected to rise by $203 per year. Homes using natural gas could see an average annual increase of $266.
The Liberals say a family of four with an annual income of $60,000 will save more than $1,300 from their tax cuts. The savings will be largely offset by higher energy costs, and the Liberals say the bulk of their plan will be paid for by large industrial emitters.
Dion said the tax would be revenue neutral, with the auditor general reporting annually to be certain.
The plan "will put every single penny back into the hands of Canadians," he said.
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20080 ...
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Wolverine Posted 5:45 am
15 Sep 2008
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