Evan Saugstad: Axe the Tax

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Has April 1st become more known as the date we are knicked for the annual tax increase, or is it still a day when it is expected we will be played a fool by some cleverly disguised joke? I do believe it has become the former, but maybe, just maybe, sometime in the next 18 months, the carbon tax will be regulated to the political dustbin when prospective PM Pierre takes over governing this country and does “AXE THE TAX” as he so promises.

In counter to the threat of “axing the tax” promise, PM Justin has doubled down and called out those supporting its abolishment as fools and spreaders of disinformation. He further states he is willing to go to the polls with Canada’s Carbon Tax as the central focus of the next election.

Good luck on that one, as no one has ever won an election by promising to increase our taxes. But, Justin, being Justin and still slippery as an eel, just may come up with a plan that includes a quick sleight of hand, reduces our taxes somewhere else and combines with a few more promises of more free money rebated back from his own personal Carbon Fund.

Yes, just promise more free money to help buy that first home we can no longer afford, or more free money for more free child care or more free money for more free teeth or more free money for more free drugs or … all in the hopes that no one understands his perpetuation of Canada’s biggest April Fool’s joke that this money isn’t really ours and is all his to do with what he wishes.

So, which will it be? Does Justin need a carbon tax to save our planet from oblivion, or does Pierre need to “axe the tax” and save Canadians from economic purgatory?

Fortunately for most Canadians, times are a changing. No longer do the majority believe a carbon tax is justified, needed, or wanted or does anything of significance in the losing battle of trying to meet Justin and his sidekick Stephen’s self-directed carbon emissions reduction strategy that we currently have no hope of meeting. Canada’s carbon tax has become the poster child of an overtaxed and overburdened taxpayer. Anyone who promises to eliminate or reduce our taxes will be met with cheers, accolades and checked ballots.

But while we wait, here in BC, it is even worse. At least if you are part of Justin’s Canadian scheme, you get a check in the mail, no matter who you are, that can help with the purchase of more natural gas to heat your home or gas and diesel to fill your auto. Not so in BC. Our BC rebate was killed by Premier Horgan a few years back, and our new made-in-BC version only sends a small portion of the tax collected as a form of welfare for those with low incomes while the rest goes to general revenue for more free drugs for the drugged, free homes for the homeless, or free money to buy your dream electric car or … And, according to our now Premier David, that is “NOT GOING TO CHANGE”!

We will see, as my bet is BC will get rid of the carbon tax along with the rest of Canada. It only takes an election where the voters cast their ballots based on the thickness of their wallets.

In fairness to PM Justin, along with his finger pointing at the “axe the tax” zealots as being liars and cheats, he did ask those Premiers who have sided with Pierre what they would do.

OK, how about my views? Maybe a bit flat-earthed, but then again, when the world was flat, times were much simpler and problems easier to fix.

First off, why do we need a dictator in Ottawa setting a one-size-fits-all for the entire country? If a province wishes to have a carbon tax, let them set their own targets and face their voters as to its need and effectiveness.

Or, if we still want a federal carbon tax, have it tied to the world price of natural gas and oil? The higher the price of these essential commodities, the lower the tax, all in an effort to keep our energy costs affordable. And while we do that, no more rebates for anyone. Use the tax to fix Canada so we are more prepared for any climate disaster, irrespective of whether man caused it or not. No more rebates will ensure the taxpayers keep a keen eye on making sure the money being collected is spent where it is needed.

Don’t like those, then how about the one I favour?

Make the carbon tax an option, just like a tip at the restaurant. Easy to understand, it only takes a tick in the box to say what you prefer. One change is to have the tick redirected to Ottawa or the provincial capital’s bank account. You could hire those same people who developed the ArriveCan App and have them do it for a mere $80,000.

And Justin, before you think of this as out of hand, think again. We already have the choices in the credit card terminal. A choice between 0, 10%, 15% or 25% would work, and everyone should be back to satisfied.

Conservatives would be happy to tick zero and do their own thing for energy and emissions conservation. The Liberals can check the 10% box as they will be happy to contribute more than the Conservatives and not worry about being as committed to paying as the NDP and Greens. I am positive every card carrying NDP’er will tick the 15% so they can brag about how much better they are than the Conservatives and Liberals, while the greenies will certainly tick the 25% box as that will get them a free ticket to Nirvana.