ROTHENBURGER – Why I won’t be joining any convoys to protest the carbon tax

Now that I mention it, though, I reckon that as of the April 1 increase I’ll be paying almost $2.50 more on that big fill-up than I’m paying now. Still, what I think about is the total cost per litre. When that goes up, I blame the refineries and Big Oil, not the government. I carefully watch the price signs at the gas stations as I drive by in my gas-guzzling pickup, and make note of today’s price for a litre of regular and a litre of diesel, since I have need of both.

When I filled the tank this week, regular was up several cents to $1.73.9 a litre and that’s what I felt on the credit card.

The next thing you’re going to say is, get rid of the pickup and drive less or go electric if you’re so concerned about the planet. But I live in the country, 45 minutes from town, and need a truck to carry things a car can’t carry, and there’s no bus out here, and I need to go into Kamloops at least three times a week.

It’s a lifestyle I’ve chosen and I’m willing to pay for it, though admittedly I do try to consolidate my town chores into as few trips as possible. And I try to be environmentally conscious in other ways.

Is it hypocritical to support a tax that’s supposed to change my behaviour, and then I don’t change it? Some will probably judge it so, and I admit I’d feel better if Eby would tell me my 17 cents is going to go toward some specific environmental projects.

According to polls nearly half of Canadians think the carbon tax is ineffective at reducing greenhouse gas emissions but science says otherwise. Since 2008 when B.C.’s carbon tax was implemented by the BC Liberals, greenhouse gas emissions in this province have gone down by five to 15 per cent, according to the stats. Other countries that have adopted the tax also have found they work. Finland experienced a 31 per cent decrease between 1995 and 2005, which is, admittedly, higher than most.

Sadly, these reductions aren’t enough to reach medium and long-term emissions goals. One study says the reason is that carbon taxes are still too modest and subject to too many exemptions.

This doesn’t matter much to those who want to axe the tax. Just as I think about other things when I fill up, they think more about dollar costs than environmental costs. They don’t think about rebates either. “Spike the hike” and “axe the tax” are based on immediate financial gratification; saving the planet is for the future, something that can be put off.

I get that we’re all wrestling with inflation right now but how long can we put off the climate change problem? The fact that the Axe the Tax folks don’t hold as dominant a position in public opinion as conservatives would have us believe no doubt helps convince Justin Trudeau not to budge when several premiers urge him to pause the increase at least until Canadians can better afford it, and maybe that’s why David Eby refuses to join the other premiers and instead doubles down on the B.C. tax.

So, opponents will rant and rave and rally and sign petitions. On Monday, after the increase kicks in, some will join trucker convoys because that’s what we do these days — cry “freedom” and wave the flag and protest with convoys of big honking trucks that burn a lot of fuel.

Me, I’m going to stay home. At least on that one day I won’t burn any fossil fuel or contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. Happy Easter.

Mel Rothenburger is a regular contributor to CFJC Today, publishes the ArmchairMayor.ca opinion website, and is a recipient of the Jack Webster Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award. He has served as mayor of Kamloops, school board chair and TNRD director, and is a retired daily newspaper editor. He can be reached at mrothenburger@armchairmayor.ca.

Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or Pattison Media.

by Mel Rothenburger

ROTHENBURGER – Why I won’t be joining any convoys to protest the carbon tax

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