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Letter: Lowering the Bar on CO2 Emissions

Letters to the editor
By Letters to the editor
August 14th, 2018

To The Editor:

I don’t know if lowering the bar on carbon emissions is a Canadian thing; like being polite – we don’t want to hurt feelings or loose our competitive edge.  If we look at the sad case of Sweden, who in 1991 introduced a carbon tax of $44 (Can.) per tonne and is now over $200(Can.) per tonne, we can see the consequences.  During that time their GDP increased 60 percent and carbon emissions dropped 25 percent below 1990’s level. 

In the World Economic Forum 2017-2018 report on global competitiveness, Sweden only ranked #7. 

Canada, on the other hand is taking a very different approach.  Even at a daring $10 per tonne carbon tax, some provinces are wanting out.  Industry does not want to loose their competitive edge.  We have set the bar so low it could be rolled over by a lump of coal.  In the same World Economic Forum report, Canada ranked #14.

Ron Robinson, Nelson, BC

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