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University of Alberta economist Andrew Leach joins the Daveberta Podcast for a rousing discussion about the Supreme Court of Canada’s big decision about the federal carbon tax, the politics of climate change in Canada, and what Alberta’s next oil boom might look like.
The Daveberta Podcast is hosted by Dave Cournoyer and produced by Adam Rozenhart.
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3 replies on “Episode 71: Peace, Order and Good Carbon Taxes”
“Good carbon taxes” is an oxymoron.
I think a very good starting point here is that the Supreme Court said this is not a tax, as the purpose is not primarily to raise revenue for the government. Given almost all of the carbon levy collected here in Alberta is returned as rebates (which Conservatives have seem to have develop total alzheimer’s about and never acknowledge), this makes total sense. It is indeed a regulatory levy.
Of course, everyone will probably still use the term carbon tax, even if just out of habit, but perhaps we should try to be more thoughtful here, especially after the Supreme Court went out of its way to specifically point this out.
I doubt any of this will make much difference politically, as the hardcore climate change deniers are good at denying any reality they find inconvenient and creating their own alternate universe. However, the further detached from reality they become, the more ridiculous they will look to mainstream voters.
Yes its a tax to change behaviour. Behaviours taxed will be non-equal depending on your circumstances. Specifically commodity production will be impacted.
Add in free trade and you have a situation where Canada is exporting their commodity production to outside jurisdictions.
And of course, its a win-win for politicians. They can use the extra funds to buy votes where they need votes.
Yes, tax the jurisdictions that arent voting for you and reward the ones that are = revenue nutral.