carbon tax

Wednesday August 17, 2016

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Wednesday August 17, 2016 Energy minister, Wynne defend decision to put carbon tax in delivery line on bills Premier Kathleen Wynne is defending the decision to bury the cost of Ontario's cap-and-trade plan in the "delivery" line on natural gas bills. The Ontario Energy Board announced last week that costs related to the Liberals' climate change plan would not appear in a separate line item on consumers' bills for natural gas, which is used to heat most homes in the province. Wynne said Thursday that the government doesn't interfere with decisions made by an arms-length agency like the energy board, which she pointed out consulted the industry and public before issuing its directive on carbon pricing. "My understanding is they talked with local distribution companies, they talked to consumer groups across the province, and as you know, they are an independent body," she said. "They made a decision to configure the bills that way and we don't direct the OEB.Ó Quebec and British Columbia include the cost of carbon pricing as a separate line item on bills. But like Wynne, Energy Minister Glen Thibeault insisted it was the energy board's decision to put the cost of cap and trade in the delivery charge instead of its own line on bills. Thibeault insisted nothing was being hidden, and said the government was being transparent about the cost of cap-and-trade just by talking about the new fee. The minister walked away from reporters without answering when asked if the energy board now sets policy for the Liberal government. The Liberals expect their climate change plan will add about $5 a month to home heating bills and about 4.3 cents a litre to the price of gasoline. Ontario will join an existing cap-and-trade market with California and Quebec next January, mandating pollution limits on companies but allowing them to buy emission credits or sell them to others if they are under their quota. (CTV News)

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday August 17, 2016

Energy minister, Wynne defend decision to put carbon tax in delivery line on bills

Tuesday April 14, 2015Premier Kathleen Wynne is defending the decision to bury the cost of Ontario’s cap-and-trade plan in the “delivery” line on natural gas bills.

The Ontario Energy Board announced last week that costs related to the Liberals’ climate change plan would not appear in a separate line item on consumers’ bills for natural gas, which is used to heat most homes in the province.

Wynne said Thursday that the government doesn’t interfere with decisions made by an arms-length agency like the energy board, which she pointed out consulted the industry and public before issuing its directive on carbon pricing.

April 19, 2016

April 19, 2016

“My understanding is they talked with local distribution companies, they talked to consumer groups across the province, and as you know, they are an independent body,” she said. “They made a decision to configure the bills that way and we don’t direct the OEB.”

Quebec and British Columbia include the cost of carbon pricing as a separate line item on bills.

But like Wynne, Energy Minister Glen Thibeault insisted it was the energy board’s decision to put the cost of cap and trade in the delivery charge instead of its own line on bills.

Wednesday April 15, 2015Thibeault insisted nothing was being hidden, and said the government was being transparent about the cost of cap-and-trade just by talking about the new fee.

The minister walked away from reporters without answering when asked if the energy board now sets policy for the Liberal government.

The Liberals expect their climate change plan will add about $5 a month to home heating bills and about 4.3 cents a litre to the price of gasoline.

Ontario will join an existing cap-and-trade market with California and Quebec next January, mandating pollution limits on companies but allowing them to buy emission credits or sell them to others if they are under their quota. (Source: CTV News)

 

Saturday April 23, 2016

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Saturday April 23, 2016 Justin Trudeau signs Paris climate treaty at UN Prime Minister Justin Trudeau signed the Paris agreement on climate change during a ceremony at the United Nations in New York City this morning, giving his word that Canada will harness the power of renewable energy as a way of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. "Today, with my signature, I give you our word that Canada's efforts will not cease,"ÊTrudeauÊsaid Friday. "Climate change will test our intelligence, our compassion and our will. But we are equal to that challenge.Ó TheÊCanadianÊgovernment has committed to reducingÊgreenhouse gas emissions byÊ30 per centÊfrom 2005 levelsÊby 2030ÊÑ a goal set by the previous Conservative government. Ê The Trudeau government has saidÊthis objectiveÊis a "floor" rather than a "ceiling" for what can be accomplished.Ê During his opening remarksÊat the UN ceremony on Friday, Trudeau saidÊthe Paris agreement will be tabled in Parliament next month and will be formally ratified later this year. The Liberal leader saidÊthe business case for investing in cleanÊenergy was clear, with nearly a third of a trillion dollars invested in renewable powerÊglobally last year. "That's a trend that will continue to grow, and it's one that represents a tremendous opportunity for Canada.ÊOne that we cannot ÑÊand will not ÑÊignore,"ÊTrudeauÊsaid to rousing applause from the UN assembly. Trudeau drew further applause from the crowd when he defendedÊdeveloping countries who are facing extraordinary challenges. "They shouldn't be punished for a problem they didn't create, nor should they be deprived of opportunities for clean growth that developed nations are now pursuing." TrudeauÊtold the UN that the Liberal government hasÊcommitted to investingÊ$2.65 billion over the next five yearsÊto help developing countries fight climate change. "We're not making theseÊinvestments simply to be nice,Êalthough I know Can

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday April 23, 2016

Justin Trudeau signs Paris climate treaty at UN

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau signed the Paris agreement on climate change during a ceremony at the United Nations in New York City this morning, giving his word that Canada will harness the power of renewable energy as a way of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator - Friday March 4, 2016 Ottawa willing to impose carbon price if impasse drags on The federal government is prepared to impose a national price on carbon if Canada's premiers fail to come to an agreement on their own, CBC News has learned. Putting a price tag on pollution would pit Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government against some provincial premiers who see the move as another blow to an enfeebled economy. Trudeau is meeting with premiers and territorial leaders today in Vancouver. A senior official close to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the Liberal government campaigned on environmental change and won a majority. "We feel that we've got a mandate to do it. And we want to do it in co-operation with the provinces," the official said. "But at the end of the day we are going to do it." Federal action isn't imminent, but Ottawa won't allow carbon price talks to drag on indefinitely. "This should be a conversation about how we are going to price carbon, not whether," said the source. Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall has been the loudest critic of a carbon tax, saying it will only hammer an already sluggish energy sector. Wall told reporters on Wednesday that he wasn't alone in his position, and that's been backed up in public and private statements by officials from other provinces here in Vancouver. "You're going to hear a lot more about carbon management than carbon pricing," said one premier in explaining the view in their private meetings. Five provinces already have a price on carbon. Penalizing polluters financially is aimed at curbing the greenhouse gases that cause climate change. (Source: CBC News) http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/carbon-price-cap-and-trade-first-ministers-meeting-vancouver-1.3473524 Canada, provinces, Christy Clark, Phillippe Couilliard, Kathleen Wynne, Rachel Notley, Justin Trudeau, Brad Wall, Dr. Jekyll, Mr. Hyde, carbon, tax, environment, climate change

Friday March 4, 2016

“Today, with my signature, I give you our word that Canada’s efforts will not cease,” Trudeau said Friday. “Climate change will test our intelligence, our compassion and our will. But we are equal to that challenge.”

The Canadian government has committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 30 per cent from 2005 levels by 2030 — a goal set by the previous Conservative government.

The Trudeau government has said this objective is a “floor” rather than a “ceiling” for what can be accomplished.

During his opening remarks at the UN ceremony on Friday, Trudeau said the Paris agreement will be tabled in Parliament next month and will be formally ratified later this year.

By Graeme MacKay, Editorial Cartoonist, The Hamilton Spectator - Tuesday December 15, 2015 After Paris climate talks comes the hard part: a global carbon diet The world is about to go on a carbon diet. It won't be easy Ñ or cheap. Nearly 200 countries across the world on Saturday approved a first-of-its-kind universal agreement to wean Earth off fossil fuels and slow global warming, patting themselves on the back for showing such resolve. On Sunday morning, like for many first-day dieters, the reality sets in. The numbers Ñ like calorie limits and hours needed in the gym Ñ are daunting. How daunting? Try more than 7.04 billion tonnes. That's how much carbon dioxide needs to stay in the ground instead of being spewed into the atmosphere for those reductions to happen, even if you take the easier of two goals mentioned in Saturday's deal. To get to the harder goal, it's even larger numbers. In the pact, countries pledged to limit global warming to about another one degree Celsius from now (or 2 C measuring against the pre-industrial average global surface temperature) Ñ and if they can, only half that. Another, more vague, goal is that by sometime in the second half of the century, human-made greenhouse gas emissions won't exceed the amount that nature absorbs. Earth's carbon cycle, which is complex and ever-changing, would have to get back to balance. (Source: CBC News) http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/paris-cop21-climate-deal-fallout-1.3363024 Canada, Carbon, Climate Change, Justin Trudeau, Kathleen Wynne, Rachel Notley, Catherine McKenna, Business, oil, industry, manufacturing, sustainable, development

December 15, 2015

The Liberal leader said the business case for investing in clean energy was clear, with nearly a third of a trillion dollars invested in renewable power globally last year.

“That’s a trend that will continue to grow, and it’s one that represents a tremendous opportunity for Canada. One that we cannot — and will not — ignore,” Trudeau said to rousing applause from the UN assembly.

Trudeau drew further applause from the crowd when he defended developing countries who are facing extraordinary challenges.

“They shouldn’t be punished for a problem they didn’t create, nor should they be deprived of opportunities for clean growth that developed nations are now pursuing.”

Thursday November 5, 2015

November 5, 2015

Trudeau told the UN that the Liberal government has committed to investing $2.65 billion over the next five years to help developing countries fight climate change.

“We’re not making these investments simply to be nice, although I know Canada does have a reputation to uphold in that department,” joked Trudeau.

“We’re making these investments and we’re following through on our commitments because it’s the right thing to do.”

Trudeau urged other countries to follow through with their commitments. (Source: CBC News)

 

Posted to iPolitics

Analysis

A thorough and nicely summarized essay on my cartoon from Carlos Danger Site.

Political Cartoon Assignment Part 2, Matthew Macrae, Section 003, November 15, 2016, Ralph Ashford

Background

There is a lot going on in this cartoon which leaves it up to personal interpretation on what the main issue the cartoon is trying to focus on. The first thing I noticed was the Climate Treaty that Trudeau seems to be holding. It doesn’t directly specify what treaty it is referencing, but it would be a safe bet to assume that the piece of paper is supposed to be representing the Paris Climate Agreement which has had talks going on since December of 2015. The reason this agreement would be relevant is because Canada has recently decided to be ratified to the Paris Agreement, which means that our country is now legally bound to the conditions set out in the treaty.

The cartoon also seems to be referencing the carbon tax and economic regulations that were promised and promoted during election time, but have seemed to be swept under the carpet recently under Trudeau’s time spent in office.

The last major theme that appears in this comic is the man wearing the “action” shirt. This doesn’t reference a certain event or promise, but instead it seems to encapsulate the general attitude that a lot of people recently have of Trudeau not really following through on his promises.  There’s a lot of examples of Trudeau not fulfilling what he said, currently the most prevalent event sparking this recent negativity to Trudeau would be his sudden change of heart in reforming First Past the Post, a voting system where the winning party does not need to attain a majority of the electoral votes to seize power, like was promised during the election. The native community in Canada has also had some growing anger towards the Liberal party, for their abandonment of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and Trudeau’s approval on the construction of a dam on Treaty 8 land. Trudeau’s inaction seems to be recurring and prevalent theme of this political cartoon.

Analysis

The first symbol that really stuck out to me was Trudeau’s face in this comic. Usually he’s portrayed in a similar fashion, with the dopey face, but this artist seems to have put a lot of emphasis on his eyebrows, eye lashes, and lips, giving him a very feminine appearance. Which gives off the image of him being a pretty boy, something that’s usually not looked well towards. In the complete opposite direction, the man in the background looks more like an average Joe, a grizzled working class man who is waiting on Trudeau to fulfill his promises, showing that they are at odds with each other. Trudeau taking a selfie, a common criticism of him, is also present which can give off the idea that he’s self-absorbed and only cares about promoting himself in a positive light. Lighting seems to be an important symbol in this cartoon, with Trudeau having almost a halo like sphere of light around his head while the common man is literally being left in the shadows. The lighting around the common man is bleak and grey, perhaps trying to show off the attitude that a lot of Canadians have towards a future under Trudeau. Touching on Trudeau’s appearance again, he’s wearing a red tie which is no coincidence since red is the colour of the Liberal party of Canada and also is a power colour. The common man is also wearing a hat with a maple leaf, confirming that he’s to be seen as the average Canadian. The equipment rack is holding various tools, but one sticks out the most to me. The broom with the word regulations written on it is perhaps meant to give off the idea that Trudeau is trying to sweep away climate regulations.

 

Course Application

Based off the way the comic is drawn you would naturally assume that the artist was most likely right-wing, but if you look at his other comics he seems to satirize both parties on separate ends of the political spectrum. I think this is interesting because if a seemingly neutral artist is willing to be this harsh to Trudeau it exemplifies the growing conflict that is emerging between the Liberal party and their voter base. A lot of people believe that the Liberals are going against the party’s values, and the values that people assumed Trudeau would have, with actions such as Dam C fueling this new distrust. Trudeau also gives off the image of being an individualist in this comic, only caring for himself and not the common folk he’s sworn to help. I think it’s important to realize this and bring it up in class because there’s a newly emerging sentiment of distrust and anger towards Trudeau that seems to be bubbling and it will be interesting to see where it leads if it continues. If the emerging attitudes toward Trudeau and his government progress it could lead to a power shift with a new party like the NDP or Conservatives being elected in the future, because of the Liberals reluctance to listen to their voters.

References

Cheadle, B. (2016). Canada to ratify Paris climate deal while still working on national plan. Retrieved November 14, 2016, from http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canada-ratify-paris-climate-deal-1.3766983

 Paris Agreement. (n.d.). Retrieved November 15, 2016, from https://ec.europa.eu/clima/policies/international/negotiations/paris/index_en.htm

Press, J. B. (n.d.). Trudeau announces plan to kill first-past-the-post by the next election. Retrieved November 15, 2016, from http://news.nationalpost.com/news/canada/canadian-politics/trudeau-announcing-plan-to-kill-first-past-the-post-by-the-next-election

(2016, May 13). Trudeau may be killing his own electoral reform project. Retrieved November 15, 2016, from https://ipolitics.ca/2016/05/13/trudeau-may-be-killing-his-own-electoral-reform-project/

McParland, K. (2016, July 18). Kelly McParland: Trudeau’s first broken promise to First Nations people is a whopper, but won’t be the last. Retrieved November 15, 2016, fromhttp://news.nationalpost.com/full-comment/kelly-mcparland-trudeaus-first-broken-promise-to-natives-is-a-whopper-but-wont-be-the-last

Kurjata, A. (2016, September 23). Justin Trudeau accused of ‘bulldozing Aboriginal rights’ with Site C – British Columbia – CBC News. Retrieved November 15, 2016, from http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/justin-trudeau-accused-of-bulldozing-aboriginal-rights-with-site-c-1.3776792

 Treaty Guide to Treaty No. 8 (1899). (2010, September 15). Retrieved November 15, 2016, from https://www.aadnc-aandc.gc.ca/eng/1100100028805/1100100028807

 MacKay, G. (2016, April 23) The Hamilton Spectator. [Cartoon] Retrieved from: https://mackaycartoons.net/2016/04/22/7899/

Tuesday December 1, 2015

By Graeme MacKay, Editorial Cartoonist, The Hamilton Spectator - Tuesday December 1, 2015 Canadians back bold climate-change action, poll finds Prime Minister Justin Trudeau heads to global climate talks in Paris with a new pledge of billions for the cause and a call for a strong international agreement, promising to follow up with a domestic plan with the provinces Ð and a new poll suggests that is probably in line with what Canadians want. At the Commonwealth summit in Malta on Thursday, Mr. Trudeau grabbed a little attention by announcing that Canada will put $2.65-billion over five years into climate-change funds for developing countries Ð a doubling of previous funding. He announced it behind closed doors to fellow leaders with some flourish, according to aides: ÒIÕm here today not just to say CanadaÕs back but to show it,Ó they quoted him as saying. On Saturday, Mr. Trudeau heads to Paris, promising a new level of Canadian ambition in fighting climate change Ð which he has said will be followed by a deal with provincial premiers, five of whom are joining him in Paris, on the nitty-gritty measures to cut greenhouse-gas emissions. ItÕs a dramatic shift, and intended to be. But a new poll suggests itÕs not likely to be deeply controversial: Large majorities of Canadians believe climate change is a threat to the countryÕs economic future. The Nanos Research Group poll of 1,000 Canadians Ð conducted for The Globe and Mail and CTV News Ð found that 73 per cent agree or somewhat agree that Òclimate change presents a significant threat to our economic future,Ó while only 16 per cent disagree or somewhat disagree. The telephone survey, conducted between Nov. 21 and 24, carries a margin of error of 3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20. The poll finds a clear view among Canadians: 72 per cent think the science of climate change is irrefutable, 79 per cent believe CanadaÕs international reputation has been hurt by its previous efforts, and 63 per cent indicate

By Graeme MacKay, Editorial Cartoonist, The Hamilton Spectator – Tuesday December 1, 2015

Canadians back bold climate-change action, poll finds

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau heads to global climate talks in Paris with a new pledge of billions for the cause and a call for a strong international agreement, promising to follow up with a domestic plan with the provinces – and a new poll suggests that is probably in line with what Canadians want.

At the Commonwealth summit in Malta on Thursday, Mr. Trudeau grabbed a little attention by announcing that Canada will put $2.65-billion over five years into climate-change funds for developing countries – a doubling of previous funding. He announced it behind closed doors to fellow leaders with some flourish, according to aides: “I’m here today not just to say Canada’s back but to show it,” they quoted him as saying.

On Saturday, Mr. Trudeau heads to Paris, promising a new level of Canadian ambition in fighting climate change – which he has said will be followed by a deal with provincial premiers, five of whom are joining him in Paris, on the nitty-gritty measures to cut greenhouse-gas emissions.

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, Editorial Cartoonist, The Hamilton Spectator - Wednesday, May 2, 2007 Gas prices shoot higher across Canada Gas prices shot up right across the country overnight, with some stations in Vancouver reaching $1.28 a litre while pumps hit $1.13 in Halifax. Montreal motorists saw prices reach $1.18 on Tuesday, while Calgary residents saw prices increase by nine cents overnight to around $1.08. Across the Greater Toronto Area, the cost of gasoline climbed to $1.08 a litre, up from about $1.05 on Monday. In Ottawa, prices at the pumps also rose three cents a litre to just under $1.10. Liberal MP Dan McTeague, the consumer affairs critic and longtime critic of the oil industry, says prices have soared to the highest levels since Hurricane Katrina. McTeague says the increase can be blamed on a jump in the wholesale price for gasoline. He adds refineries increased the wholesale price and the gas companies have now passed along the price hike to motorists. (Source: CTV News) editorial cartoon, 2007, gas, greenhouse, oil, vox populi, protesters, anger, money, price

Wednesday, May 2, 2007

It’s a dramatic shift, and intended to be. But a new poll suggests it’s not likely to be deeply controversial: Large majorities of Canadians believe climate change is a threat to the country’s economic future.

The Nanos Research Group poll of 1,000 Canadians – conducted for The Globe and Mail and CTV News – found that 73 per cent agree or somewhat agree that “climate change presents a significant threat to our economic future,” while only 16 per cent disagree or somewhat disagree. The telephone survey, conducted between Nov. 21 and 24, carries a margin of error of 3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

The poll finds a clear view among Canadians: 72 per cent think the science of climate change is irrefutable, 79 per cent believe Canada’s international reputation has been hurt by its previous efforts, and 63 per cent indicate they would pay more for certain products so Canada could meet its climate commitments.

That suggests Mr. Trudeau has a lot of support to promise action in Paris – where 150 leaders are gathering this weekend as the talks open officially on Monday. (Source: Globe & Mail)

Winnipeg Free Press, Wednesday December 2, 2015

Winnipeg Free Press, Wednesday December 2, 2015

 

Wednesday April 15, 2015

Wednesday April 15, 2015Editorial cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday April 15, 2015

Like a carbon tax, but much worse

If you want to put a tax on greenhouse gas emissions, there’s an easy way to do it. You implement a carbon tax, like British Columbia did, and add it to the price of gasoline and other fossil fuels. The higher the emissions, the more tax people pay. Anyone can understand how it works.

Then there’s a second way, which is much more complicated and expensive. It requires a big bureaucracy to administer and is highly vulnerable to special interests. Lots can go wrong. In Europe, where they’ve been trying to get it right for a decade, it’s been an abject failure. This system is called cap and trade, and nobody but the experts can understand how it works.

Kathleen Wynne’s Ontario has chosen the second way. The fact that cap-and-trade schemes are incredibly opaque is considered a feature, not a bug. The government can swear it’s not a tax, even though the taxpayers will wind up paying for it anyway as industry passes on the extra cost.

Tuesday April 14, 2015Cap-and-trade schemes are supposed to encourage companies to find cleaner forms of energy. A cap is set on the amount of pollution each industry is allowed to emit. Individual businesses are then granted (or sold) permits to pollute. They can then buy or sell these permits on the open market. If they want to emit more pollution, they have to buy more permits, and vice versa. Finance people love carbon markets because there’s good money in it for them. (Source: Margaret Wente, Globe & Mail)

Friday July 18, 2014

Friday July 18, 2014By Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday July 18, 2014

Australia’s carbon tax repealed after 2 years

Australia’s Conservative government repealed a much-maligned carbon tax on the nation’s worst greenhouse gas polluters on Thursday, ending years of contention over a measure that became political poison for the lawmakers who imposed it.

The Senate voted 39 to 32 to axe the $24.34 Cdn tax per metric tonne of carbon dioxide that was introduced by the centre-left Labour government in July 2012. Conservative lawmakers burst into applause as the final tally was announced.

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott’s conservative coalition government rose to power last year on the promise of getting rid of the tax, assuring voters that removing it would reduce household electricity bills. He plans to replace the measure with a taxpayer-financed $2.57 billion fund to pay industry incentives to use cleaner energy.

“Today, the tax that you voted to get rid of is finally gone: a useless, destructive tax which damaged jobs, which hurt families’ cost of living and which didn’t actually help the environment,” Abbott told reporters in Canberra.

Australia is one of the world’s worst greenhouse gas emitters per capita, largely because of its heavy reliance on the nation’s vast reserves of cheap coal for electricity.

Opposition leader Bill Shorten lashed out at Abbott after the vote, dubbing him an “environmental vandal.” (Source: CBC News)

In June, Harper praised Abbott, who was visiting Ottawa, for his work as chair of the G20, as well as for ending Australia’s carbon tax.

“You’ve used this international platform to encourage our counterparts in the major economies and beyond to boost economic growth, to lower taxes when possible and to eliminate harmful ones, most notably the job-killing carbon tax,” Harper said.

Harper also took an indirect shot at Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau, saying Harper and Abbott know that budgets don’t balance themselves. Canadian Conservative MPs jumped on Trudeau last February after Trudeau said economic growth would mean “the budget will balance itself.”

Abbott and Harper praised each other, with Abbott telling reporters that Harper has been a guide to centre-right politicians around the world. (Source: CBC News)

OTHER MEDIA

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