Quebec Floats Carbon Tax

From an editorial in today's Montreal Gazette:

[Y]esterday the Liberal government of Jean Charest proposed to tax oil and gas companies on their polluting products, and impose tougher emission standards on new cars.

These are good policies. The carbon-emission royalty - as the refinery tax is fancifully styled - will depend on the hydrocarbon concentration of the heating oil, gas, natural gas or propane being sold.

Companies will undoubtedly attempt to pass on the pain to the consumer. So be it. Discouraging the emissions entailed by hydrocarbon use is what this tax is about. Consumers cannot in good faith profess support for Kyoto objectives and refuse to pay any part of the price.

The tax will also amass revenue to carry on the anti-greenhouse battle: $200 million a year according to provincial estimates. Half of this sum will be dedicated to the financing of public transport, a keen need particularly in the Montreal area.

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