If Martin Barker was truly interested in sources for fossil fuel subsidies in Canada he would have easily found it with minimal search engine skills. But hey, who wants science and facts getting in the way of a malicious and negative Harper election campaign filled with misinformation and disinformation?
Mr. Barker only needed to look to the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank for the information he requested. The IMF’s recent report on G20 annual subsidies for the fossil fuel industry pegged Canada’s annual subsidies at $1,283 for every person living in Canada! This amount is equivalent to more than 20 normal vehicle fill-ups at the pump for each and every Canadian. Total annual subsidy to the fossil fuel industry in Canada in 2014, according to the IMF, was $45 billion!
The fossil fuel subsidies are equivalent to one-third the total cost of publicly funding healthcare in Canada! Oops, that figure will change if Harper and Co. are elected as Harper is set to remove $34 billion from healthcare payments to the provinces.
Just what is Harper’s motive in destroying decades of social capital building in Canada for yet more subsidies to the fossil fuel industry? You will never know with Mr. Harper until it is too late. Vote Oct. 19, 2015.
Phil Le Good
Cobble Hill