Recently Canada’s Environmental Commissioner Mr. Gord Miller made some recommendations to the Government regarding toxic emission and traffic congestion.

Among the recommendations put forth is a carbon tax as Mr. Miller’s blog states:

“As discussed recently in my recently released Greenhouse Gas Progress Report, I believe that Ontario must establish a price for carbon.  Such an approach, whether in the form of a tax or a cap-and-trade system, is supported by the majority of energy and carbon intensive industries in Canada and is already being used in three provinces (B.C., Quebec & Alberta) to manage greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs).  A carbon price acts as a signal that encourages energy consumers to reduce the carbon footprint of their energy use, whether through reduced consumption (i.e. conservation) or a shift to low-carbon energy sources, and is thus critical for de-carbonizing the provincial economy and powering the growth of green industry” See the rest of this article…..

While this may be a great idea, I am unsure as to whether it will be what is needed to help everyone understand the environmental crisis we find ourselves in. In fact I am concerned it will only cause anger, and that a carbon tax will be viewed as another “tax grab”and the whole concept of educating people regarding emissions will be lost.

Another recommendation is to introduce road Tolls within the City of Toronto. On Mr. Miller’s blog he states:

“Traffic gridlock in our cities is only going to get worse if we stick to the current way of moving people and goods around. Based on these facts, we have basically two choices: 1) accept more traffic and greater gridlock as inevitable; or, 2) DO something about it by pricing the commodity. We will have no choice but to price this limited resource (our road capacity) and the downtown parking that supports (encourages?) its overuse. Click to read more …“

 A road toll sounds like a good idea, the states have tolls everywhere and it might work if it’s handled correctly and if the funds raised are put to improving our environment, and not towards the wage packet,  swanky offices, entertainment and fine clothes for government/municipal employees.  But I am hesitant to believe that this will work the way it is intended.

While the recommendations from the Environmental commissioner and his staff come with good intentions, I don’t think they are serious enough.  It is time that we move away from our dependence on oil, and I mean seriously move away from it. But in order to do this we need our government to back us up, they need to understand that change is needed, they have the power to make the changes. A strong economy is needed for a strong healthy country, but we need to take care of our environment too, and that needs to be at the top of the priority list right along with a strong economy.

Because of my concerns I sent an email to Mr. Miller and cc’d it to the party leaders with my thoughts. Included was my recommendation that all parties and each member within those parties need to be on the same page where our environment is concerned, with ego and competitive behaviour being put aside.

If you have concerns about our environment or perhaps you don’t believe there is a problem but you are fed up with the tax’s we constantly pay out.  And if you have ideas that may help our environment I am sure they will be well received.  Send in your thoughts and comments to the email address’ below.

Gord Miller:           commissioner@eco.on.ca

Jim Flaherty          jim@jimflahertymp.ca

Jack Layton:         layton.j@parl.gc.ca

Elizabeth May:     emaytowin@greenparty.ca