Ch.4-Feds won't follow B.C. lead on carbon tax: Baird

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20080220/carbon_tax_080220/20080220?hub=TopStories

The article I have chosen was taken from the CTV news website. In this article the ferderal government has expressed their thoughts about the new carbon tax that has been imposed on British Columbia to fight the climate change. Environmental Minister John Baird has said that the federal government would prefer environmental regulations than the new carbon tax. Since Finance Minister Carole Taylor tabled her provincial budget on Tuesday, British Columbia has become the first juridiction in North America to have the carbon tax. In this matter, the federal government has chosen not to follow BC's lead. Minister Baird has said, and I quote, "We're not looking at coming forward with one (carbon tax,'') he told The Canadian Press. "We've taken different approaches.'' Baird does note that Ottawa and British Columbia are not at odds with the issue, but it is just that each side will approach the issue differently. He points out that what may work in British Columbia may not work in Alberta. He explains how different provinces are coming up with different approaches to the issue. Baird does point out that the federal government has been working with BC on some environmental issues such as the the tidal power project near Victoria. He says that there are dozens of things with respect to fighting climate change, and that the biggest initiative for the federal government right now is to regulate the big polluters. However, Minister Taylor says that BC will not be waiting for a consensus when it comes to fighting global warming.

In my opinion I believe that BC has shown initiative in regards to fighting global warming. However, I also believe that in regions up in northern BC, it is harder for them to not use their cars. In many isolated areas it is one of the few means of getting around. The carbon tax has allowed BC to be one of the first provinces to initiate the first step to making a change to our future. I understand why the federal government would not want to take this approach to battling climate change at the moment. Taxes have always been an issue in our society and the amount which the public must pay out of their income has caused different arguments, agreements, and promises in the past. But considering how just only a few years ago, global warming was denied. Now we now just how much damage we have caused. No one knows whether or not the damages done can be reversed to lessen the extent of damage. Although the intent of the carbon tax is good, there will be much controversy in the public's eye (there always is when it comes to money). Even though I feel that right now the federal government does not agree with the carbon tax and initiating it federally. Environmental regulations for some areas of Canada may not be enough. Each situation is different, and the way some industries and built upon a natural resource such as oil, could cause a unpleasant change to their habits. Oil is not renewable, none of the fossil fuels are, therefore with the usage for it going up, I feel that so should the price. With the way that we are using resources now, I do not feel that environmental regulations and taxes will be enough. We need to find other renewable resources and find a way to minimize the consumption of these resources.