June 28, 2008

Dalton McGuinty gave is full backing to Stephane Dion’s Green Shift policy the other day as he embarked on the summer recess from the Ontario legislature. McGuinty expressed his support despite the fact that he leads a province heavily reliant on manufacturing to drive the economy and provide jobs which will be subjected to a shift of billions in taxes on the carbon dioxide producing industries should Dion form the next federal government. Dion’s risk to himself and his party means McGuinty can endorse it and not do anything (as per usual as is the case with McGuinty’s dismal environmental record) until Dion surprises everyone and gets elected.

Of course McGuinty isn’t the first guy in charge of a government to be all talk and no action, and Dion isn’t the first guy wanting to lead a government with a lot of talk and the promise of action. Al Gore as we all know has been a tireless advocate of doing something about Climate Change, despite not doing much about it while in office or campaigning for President. Onetime environmental laggard Jean Chretien has always boasted about signing on to the Kyoto Accord despite conveniently ignoring the obligations. And Just recently the former British PM was pleading leaders of the G8 to bridge the chasm on climate change. So easy it is to talk the talk when out of office. But even while he was PM, Tony Blair spouted similar pleas promising to lower carbon dioxide emissions to 20% when in fact witnessing increases during his time in office.

So as Stephane Dion begins his gruelling coast to coast sale of the Liberal Party’s Green Shift carbon tax plan, Dalton McGuinty can relax and enjoy the summer months to come complaining about how the Harper government isn’t doing enough to stop climate change while feigning belief that Dion’s plan will be warmly endorsed by the Canadian public.