Green Party Platform Interging

It seems that the Green Party is beginning to make itself as a possible fourth contender at the federal level. Today they issued a peak at their platform under new leader Elizabeth May. The platform of course is focused on environmental issues but also offers a carrot to fiscal conservatives. Lets take a look at what I like and what I don't.

There are many tax cuts in the program. On the chopping block are income and payroll taxes. It also introduces tax breaks for fuel efficient small cars and extra fees on gas guzzlers and SUVs. They also plan to provide rebates for those who purchase energy efficient appliances and upgrades for their homes. They will also end government subsidizing to the Alberta oil sands. As an advocate of the free market economy, a lot of this makes sense, especially ending subsidizing. Tax breaks are always welcome. The national parks system is also planned to be expanded, which is good for tourism.

What I don't like is the over focus on environmental issues. Particularly a so called "carbon tax" that would tax fossil fuels more. There is enough tax on these as it is. Fossile fuels tend to be an inelastic item that sells no matter what the price so this wouldn't work. Discouraging fossil fuel use is also not a good idea. Much of Canada is rural and small town so peddle power is hugely impractical. There are no working alternatives to petrolium on the market yet. Taxing chemicals is also harmful to business. They call it tax shifting by reducing income and corporate taxes but transfering them to goods they consider dangerous.

The biggest problem with the Greens is their narrow focus. Just when they seem to come up with some good ideas, they bunggle it. They build an entire platform on environmental issues but leave out everything else. There was no mention of health care, education, immigration, or the military in their platform. Their environmental plans themselves sound good on paper, but in practice are either impractical or cannot work period. This is why they will never receive a seat in parliament, at least not in the forseeable future.