Guelph, ON – June 19, 2006 – Despite strongly opposing it as misguided policy only a few short months ago, today in Ottawa, Stéphane Dion unveiled his massive new tax plan that he calls the “green shift”. In addition to hitting electricity, which would put Canadian manufacturers at risk, and home heating fuel, which would hit seniors on a fixed income, Mr. Dion’s tax grab would also hit the price of diesel.
Locally, Liberal candidate Frank Valeriote has been completely silent on the plan, and where he stands. He has issued no press releases. He has stated only two things publicly on this issue. Firstly, he supports a cap and trade program for greenhouse gas emissions. Cap and trade is a scheme that is supported by the NDP, but not by his leader, Stéphane Dion. Secondly, he opposes any government investment in green technology. The new Dion carbon tax scheme includes such an investment, in the form of an “Accelerated Capital Cost Allowance for green technologies”.
“I believe that the people of Guelph have a right to know whether or not their Liberal candidate supports his leader”, said Gloria Kovach, Conservative Candidate for Guelph. “On both of these issues, Valeriote’s position on these issues have been contradicted by his leader, and there is no mention of Stephane Dion in any of his advertising. One would almost think that he is embarrassed of his own leader.”
The massive new tax, while being sold by the Liberal leadership as being “revenue neutral” will cause massive price increases in virtually everything we buy. “I can understand why Frank would be afraid of being associated with a tax and spend Liberal like Dion”, said Kovach. “What the people of Guelph deserve to know is how much of a tax and spend Liberal he is himself”.
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