Invitation to come out of the Carbon Closet

Dear Mr. Dion and Mr. Layton,

We know it must be hard on you. You both want to do the right thing and cut greenhouse gas emissions as well as wean people off of ever depleting gas supplies. You both would love to be able to announce to your supporters and to Canadians that you have a real plan to deal with climate change.

You know that over 10% of Canadians have already left your parties because you failed to provide real leadership and they are looking to other growing movements to be their voice, and that more and more of your core are on the verge of switching as we have seen from the recent by-elections. Stephane, you almost lost Quadra, mainly because you were unable to give even your strongest supporters a real reason to come out and vote for you. And Jack, you must realize that while Canadians like you, you are almost on the verge of being relegated to the fourth party in popular support because you are no longer seen as "new" and socially progressive people now have another option.

Sure, it is easier to complain about gas being high than to be honest with Canadians and let them know that gas will never be cheap again. It is easier to promote voluntary measures and government subsidies to reduce our carbon emissions than to talk about fines and increasing costs.

However, now is the time for both of you to come out of the carbon closet.

Clearly support a carbon tax now, so us Greens can focus on raising other important issues. We love talking about tax shifting, but surely it would be easier if we talk about other issues as well.

You don't have to agree with how to spend the money. We've proposed a mainly revenue neutral plan because we feel the existing tax base punished people who are green friendly, but you are free to determine your own plan. Jack, if you want to give more of it back into rebates for lower income workers, we understand. Stephane, you can cut whatever taxes you want.

Be sure, to extend it beyond just fuel taxes, you want to go after large emitters as well. Hit oil companies that flare or release methane extra hard, because carbon output is directly related to efficiency.

Also, don't forget that a carbon tax is not the be all and end all of tax shifting.

You can shift taxes of recycled goods, increase taxes on corporate water usage, and ensure that methane from landfills are capped as well.

You don't even have to make up your own plan, you can borrow ours word for word. A little credit would be nice, but you can pretend it was your idea all along, we don't care.

What we do care about is that you come out of the carbon closet. Don't sneak out of it. Stop leaking stories to the press waiting for an escape mechanism. Be clear, be brave, and be ready to explain it.

Canadians are ready for action. But you have to be sincere.

If you are too soft, they may only hear tax and not carbon of shifting.