Two years ago, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre promised a “plain language law” for government laws and policies if he becomes prime minister. He wants bureaucrats and politicians to communicate simply and clearly to Canadians.
This is a good idea. He should carry it further by simplifying and clarifying the laws and policies in the first place – starting with his party’s approach to climate change.
Canada’s climate-change policies are expansive and expensive. They have divided the country, generated economic uncertainty, and are intrusive and inconsistently applied.
Most important, they are not likely to meet stated emission-reduction goals. This last point is the legacy of every federal government’s climate plans – all 10 of them since 1990. Not one government has been honest with Canadians about what is required for sustained climate action and the trade-offs involved.
Meanwhile, climate change is already impacting the country with more and more extreme weather events.
If ever plain-speaking is warranted, it is on this topic, now. The Conservatives should move beyond “axe the tax,” then develop and clearly communicate a climate-action plan with three components: an audit of what is working and not working; new domestic targets that are realistic and honest; and co-operation, not confrontation, with the provinces.
There is one area where Poilievre has spoken plainly on climate change – his intention to repeal the federal carbon tax. This remarkably successful communications strategy has propelled his party to new polling heights. It even upended previous NDP support for the policy, federally and provincially.
His relentless attacks have put carbon pricing on life support. If he wins the next election, which he is on track to do, he will be in a position to pull the plug.
So be it. Political acceptability of government taxation is an entirely legitimate issue in a democracy.
Poilievre’s “axe the tax” mantra is his party’s only specific climate-change commitment. He........