Doug Ford recognized the danger of the pandemic. But, Martin Regg Cohn asks, does he understand what's going on with the climate? Apparently not:
Call it the pandemic paradox. The only question is whether we wake up to the warning signs for global warming in good time, or continue sleepwalking — and trash talking it as time runs out.
To his credit, the new Doug Ford grasped the virulence of the virus early on.
To his discredit, the old Doug Ford doesn’t get the gravity of greenhouse gas emissions even this late in the game.
He’s back — back to his old ways, back to his old fundraising scare tactics, back to his old rhetorical distortions, back to his old wedge politics of divide and confuse. Back to the same old fight against carbon pricing.
When Justin Trudeau announced his climate policy, Ford fumed:
“I’ve never, ever, ever been more disappointed in an announcement ever since I’ve been in politics,” the premier fumed with calculated hyperbole.
Spoiler alert: Most Canadians will continue to be fully rebated for the rising carbon levy — currently 4.4 cents a litre at the gas pump, but increasing to 27.6 cents when it is fully phased in by 2030.
Nonetheless, Ford called the policy a tax grab:
“Make no mistake about this, this is nothing but a 30 per cent tax grab,” Ford said mistakenly, if not mendaciously.
To be clear: If the levy is rebated, it is not retained; if it is not retained, it is not a tax; if it is not a tax, it is not a grab.
Ford’s Tories have been riding the anti-tax train since he won the Progressive Conservative leadership in early 2018, reversing the party’s previous support for the federal carbon levy, and budgeting an unconscionable $30 million to fight it in court. The strategy has been unravelling ever since.
One after another, provincial courts have rejected legal challenges to the carbon levy (the federal court has yet to rule). Last September, an Ontario court declared unconstitutional Ford’s embarrassingly unconservative diktat that the gas stations of the province be compelled to affix his anti-tax propaganda stickers to the pump — on pain of a $10,000 fine (Ford’s Tories declined to appeal, leaving the stickers unstuck, and Ford’s message unhinged).
The Ford makeover was temporary. The Old Doug Ford is back.
Image: Press Progress
12 comments:
“I’ve never, ever, ever been more disappointed in an announcement ever since I’ve been in politics,”
Pray tell, how long a time is that?
Ford always speaks in hyperbole, zoombats.
To be fair, most of our politicians, including Trudeau, don't understand the threat of global warming. A carbon tax is useless while we keep subsidizing carbon production. So far, the carbon taxes are just smoke and mirrors.
When common sense and dogma intersect, Owen, dogma is the clear winner in any 'RESPECTABLE" right wing mind.
We have a long way to go, Toby. Part of the problem is getting the population in general to understand the problem.
I agree, Anon. Next time, please initial your comment.
The Old Doug Ford is back?
I don't see how acting like a shocked deer in the headlights was any actual departure from his essential lack of intelligence.
It's like the village idiot being knocked unconscious in a bar fight staggering again to his feet.
Just no stars for accidental good behavior; bet he is an angel when he is sleeping too.
BTW if i don't get back here before the season all the best to you and yours Owen and thank you for the daily gifts thru the year.
Stay safe.
Happy holidays, lungta. Let's hope that next year is better than the year we've almost finished.
The new Doug Ford was always just a thin coat of primer. Now that Kenney's widely credited as Canada's worst premier, Ford's going "hold my beer."
Cap
An interesting observation, Cap. Ford is no longer the national villain.
I really had hoped that Ford had changed; his early response to the Covid crisis suggested he was capable of looking beyond partisan politics. Was I ever mistaken, Owen, something I clearly realized with the changes he has made in the way conservation authorities can act.
It's really good to hear from you again, Lorne. Happy holidays to you and yours!
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