–It is even more regressive than I thought it would be. How can they possibly pretend that this is not just a give-a-way to the most wealthy Canadians?

“Puts you in control of the amount of tax you pay” — what kind of statement is that? So, if I buy lots of “green” consumer products, I don’t have to pay taxes, or if I have money to invest in “green” solutions” I don’t have to pay income taxes? Where’s the connection between income tax and consumption? Doesn’t putting more money in the pockets of the most wealthy result in increased consumption of goods (green or not)? What kind of solution is that to the global climate crisis?

“A Green Tax Shift will provide a Carbon Tax Holiday by allowing income taxes and payroll taxes to be reduced, income supplements to low income Canadians to be increased, student loans to be cut in half…” — Exactly how will student loans be cut in half if the tax is revenue neutral? It is a move away from progressive taxation and towards a flat-tax on income — and all of it is revenue neutral which means poorer Canadians pay more. Poorer Canadians also end up paying more of their income on regular consumer goods because business will pass down the consumption tax onto the consumer. There is no solution here and it puts an unnecessary economic burden people who have not contributed to the crisis.

“Ms. May said the Green Party’s costing exercise shows how different types of families in Canada will be affected by a carbon tax. For instance, an urban, upper-middle-class family in Ontario would pay 1.2 per cent less income toward taxes while a low-income, rural senior would save 9.2 per cent every year.” –This is on income, but they will be spending more on gas, electricity, and every major commodity. Taken together, they are flat or even regressive tax figures. The Fraser Institute will be pleased.

It is the same criticism I have of the Liberal Party’s “green-tax the poor” plan — only more so. Makes me so mad that the “green” brand has been taken over by this group of neo-liberal opportunists.