Carney kills consumer carbon tax in first move as prime minister
And with it PP’s entire campaign identity.
That’s probably why.
Before we get all doomer up in here (generally fair), I genuinely believe this is a smart play and exactly in line with Carneys stated plan. Carney does believe in the carbon tax as both a way to put money in most Canadians pockets and to reduce our emissions. He has said fullstop that the Carbon Tax was effective and good. He has said he wants to “cancel the carbon tax and replace it with a consumption pricing model” - which is effectively just rebranding the Carbon Tax. And he said so directly, that the carbon tax is effective but has become too political and is an unwinnable battle politically, but the core function should be maintained. Based on his public history I do believe he’s an environmentalist, so I do trust he’ll follow through with a replacement.
I think this is smart politically because the Carbon Tax and proximity to Trudeau is essentially PP’s only play. In one shot Carney takes away the last of PP’s cards, which may be enough to cement a lead for the coming election.
Admittedly this all hinges on him actually getting a replacement in, but based on his history of public statements for the past few years, I do believe he will. If he doesn’t, feel free to come back next year or whatever and yell at me. For now, I’m huffing my hoping here.
Assuming he does follow through, I’ll call this a very smart play.
A big problem progressives often have is understanding the value of branding. Sometimes the right play is basically to do the same thing but with a slightly different label on it. Or, in this case, a slightly different thing that basically does the same thing but comes without all the baggage.
Agreed. This is very contingent on the follow through, but it also makes sense. There’s two scenarios:
- This helps him win the election or get a minority government. He immediately puts in a functionally equivalent replacement. Move worked.
- He loses the election and we get a Conservative majority. They would have immediately repealed the Carbon Tax, so it’s irrelevant.
Let’s see how it plays out.
It was kill the carbon tax or get Poilievre. Carbon taxes work and it’s a shame that all the propagandised conservatives made carbon tax political suicide but here we are. I’d still take this over PP who wouldn’t stop at the carbon tax.
While I suspect at this point the Liberals newfound momentum might push them over even with the carbon tax, you’re right that continuing to defend it was an unnecessary risk, in a very risky and high stakes election. And as I’ve pointed out elsewhere, Carney’s stated goal is to replace it with something largely similar. This seems to be primarily an exercise in branding, in order to undercut any momentum the Conservatives might have.
Do they work? I haven’t seen much evidence that the consumer tax changed any behaviour, but I’d be open to being convinced otherwise.
The carbon tax was an excellent policy, but this was probably necessary to win the election. Here’s hoping the Liberals replace it with something functionally equivalent, like cap and trade.
Well, fuck. That’s income I could have really used. This negatively affects people living in poverty the most, and benefits the affluent the most. This better come paired with some kind of financial break for low income earners.
I feel like this signals that Carney is willing to cast aside his principles and throw uninvolved people under the bus so that he can meet his priority goals. Ie, getting ignorant swing voters on his side. This is a blatant campaign move that should have been an election promise, not a unilateral decision.
He is trying to keep PP from getting any raise in the polls.
I believe that’s what I said.
…
Are we still doing “phrasing”?
Sadly, most people are idiots and don’t realise it benefits them.
There’s at least hope with Carney that he’ll come up with another environmental policy that the conservatives brain rotted by Poilievre won’t get mad at.
We can hope.
I believe he did promise this before he was elected as head of the liberal party.
Edit: Yes he did
Not sure I see that as consequential.
His stated goal is to replace it with something similar but with better branding.
Consider that this effectively kills 90% of PP’s campaign rhetoric, and that if PP were to be elected, you’d lose the tax anyway without a replacement.
Carbon tax and dividend is greatest tax in human history. Not meant to raise discretionary revenue. Not a pension scam subject to bankruptcy or payment reductions in future. Car rebates is not good policy, because its not car ownership that affects emissions, it is miles driven. Or lifestyle choices that don’t need cars/long driving.
The rise in diesel/home heating fuel was a direct result of Ukraine war. Carbon tax is divisive because all the parties love the war on Russia, and so no one addresses/d the real reason for the cost of living hikes.
Yes I’m disappointed we had to cave to the conservatives but if that’s the price of avoiding a PP PM I guess I can live with it. I’m not planning on having kids so I just need to feel bad for the polar bears.
Carbon tax and dividend is greatest tax in human history.
Someone call the Georgists in to land value tax this guy out of existence.
Has a LVT ever been implemented?
Lmao NOPE but that won’t stop the Georgists
There have been some partial implementations though but I don’t think they’re notable enough to provide meaningful evidence.
But the CPC ads with red glows and ominous music keep telling me he’s “Carbon Tax Carney”!
Ya and he axed the tax…wait pp has no talking points now
Well. That’s the nail in the coffin for pp and his ineptitude.
Good.
It’s good this happens before the election. When gas prices don’t come down at all they might go “oh… maybe canceling this was a dumb idea after all”
Ah, no wonder Alberta lovea him lmao.
