Cap-and-trade? No
Re Ontario Plans Cap-And-Trade On Emissions (April 3): Cap-and-trade is simply an expensive carbon tax. The government sells permits and collects money. That is a tax. This business expense is passed on to the consumer.
Companies hire pricey professionals skilled at carbon trading. That cost, too, is passed on to the consumer. The government pays for oversight of cap-and-trade. Who do you think foots that bill?
A January, 2015, paper from the University of Gothenburg by Jessica Coria and Jurate Jaraite says cap-and-trade costs four times more than a carbon tax for monitoring, verifying and reporting.
For a carbon-pricing system unrivalled in ease of implementation, transparency, fairness and progressiveness, a revenue-neutral carbon fee and dividend is the best way to go.
Cathy Lacroix, Toronto
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The Ontario government issued a Climate Change Discussion Paper on Feb. 12, inviting input on how to cut emissions. The closing date for comments was March 29, yet The Globe reported on April 3 that the government is planning a cap-and-trade system. Was the public consultation just window-dressing? Sure seems that way.
A revenue-neutral carbon fee and dividend would be much more effective in reducing GHGs because it debits carbon emissions directly for the damage done to the planet. It was recommended by many contributors to the discussion paper.
As The Globe states, cap-and-trade "is thought to be more prone to manipulation by special interests than a carbon tax." It is also more complicated, indirect, subject to negotiation with carbon emitters, less effective and will benefit the traders more than the environment. A system based on an improved version of British Columbia's approach would be much better for the planet.
Don Kerr, Collingwood, Ont.
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Companies buying credits will have to raise prices. Won't this increase the already uncompetitive cost of doing business in Ontario?
Wouldn't a carbon tax be fairer, simpler and have greater net benefits to Ontario? At least then the money would stay in Ontario and might be available for green projects there. What am I missing?
Jack Peltier, Calgary
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The 99 per cent
Yes, "classical" economic theory dictates that the winning 1 per cent typically invest savings, which may benefit everyone in the end (The Unfair Pillorying Of The 1 Per Cent Hurts Us All – Report on Business, April 3). That tiny group gets to pick where, how and why to invest.
Those without resources do not have that luxury; their choices are profoundly limited. It's time to turn things around. We live in a society, not an economy.
Peter Farncombe, Toronto
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Re Baird Lands Yet Another Job As Adviser To Hong Kong Billionaire (April 4): John Baird should do well working for the 1-per-cent crowd.
Leo J. Deveau, Halifax
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In terms of security
Re The Government Has Still Not Made Its Case (editorial, April 2): You object to Bill C-51 because it "gives government departments the ability to share otherwise protected information about any person or group deemed to be a threat to national security."
I want them to share information about threats to our security. Let's "commit" some common sense here. Stephen Harper is the only credible leader on this file.
Harry Richardson, Winnipeg
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In honour of Stephen Harper's approaching nearly 10 years in power – he was sworn in as Prime Minister on Feb. 6, 2006 – I'd like to propose that we add a new word to the Canadian lexicon.
Harperbole: (noun) the use of fear-mongering and exaggerated threats to national security intended to terrorize Canadians and divert their attention from genuine social, economic and environmental concerns.
Erika Watters, Calgary
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Ms. Jolie's example
Genetic predisposition doesn't mean genetic determinism (The Lessons Of Angelina Jolie – editorial, April 3). The conclusions of biostatistics are only statements of probability, not of certainty.
One may wonder whether, in the era of very sophisticated and early diagnostic tests that can be repeated every so often, the respect for one's own body and the issue of expense could not have been better served with frequent surveillance, rather than with radical surgery.
The whole range of perspectives under which these important ethical and personal decisions are made also ought to include such factors as the levels of rationality and scientific appraisal involved, the costs, the social implications, the personal desire for certainty versus the management of life uncertainty etc.
We have entered into an era of health care and medical science in which multiperspective analysis and moral and ethical considerations are as important as technological advances. Failure to keep this in mind would only serve partisan and interested purposes – not the human good.
Juan E Muñoz, MD, Objective Structured Clinical Examination chair and director, McMaster University
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Say cheese … or not
Much has been said and published lately about Senator Nancy Ruth's comments on cold Camembert cheese and broken crackers. More defining of her attitude toward her "due" as a Senator are her comments on travel: "I don't think they understand anything of what it's like to fly around the world to get here to Ottawa."
I may live in Victoria, but I suspect the Senator's around-the-world travel often consists of a limo ride to Pearson International Airport in Toronto, time in the business class lounge if necessary, a one-hour flight to Ottawa and a limo ride to Parliament Hill. The total time and inconvenience to her personal life often wouldn't be much greater than the average daily commute (unpaid for by government) for ordinary taxpayers in the Greater Toronto Area.
She has lost all touch with the people she purports to serve.
Robert Peacock, Victoria
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Senator Nancy Ruth is being pilloried for an unwise comment. She is, however, one of the most kind and generous women in Canada. She has personally helped, and supported financially, literally dozens of people with no expectation of reward except "thank you." I know because I am one of them. Please do not judge her on the basis of one remark.
Catherine Graham, Toronto
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Perhaps the next time the senator flies between Toronto and Ottawa she can be offered a meal of humble pie – at the temperature of her choosing, crackers optional.
Kevin Byrne, Bright's Grove, Ont.
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How about a monument to the Victims of the Senate?
That would be us.
Barbara Klunder, Toronto
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Hmm …
Re Greece Reported To Be Out Of Cash By April 9 (Report on Business, April 3): If it is any consolation, so am I.
Michael McGrath, Kingston