Carbon Taxes and Economic Prosperity

The Harper Government is currently claiming that adopting a carbon tax would damage Canada’s economic performance. This claim is contrary to our climate change research in British Columbia. The recent outcomes of our climate change research in British Columbia and others shows that BC has reduced its fuel consumption by 15.1 percent since 2008, while the rest of Canada’s increased by 1.3 percent. BC’s economic growth per capita (despite its carbon tax) is consistent with the Canada’s average. Reducing source emissions has increased environmental benefit without harming the economy (Sustainable Prosperity 2012; Government of BC, 2012).

 If you are concerned about the lack of evidence-based policy making, you may wish to listen to this video by Allan Gregg, on The Assault of Reason, it is a must-listen for anyone concerned about democratic process and good public policy development.

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