LETTER

No tax money for oil giants 

 

As the oil boom goes bust again, what's Stephen Harper going to do about it? Our government props up giant oil companies with generous subsidies and cushy tax cuts -- a habit that has cost Canada billions of dollars every year. We’re talking big money - in 2011, the International Monetary Fund pegged Canada’s oil subsidies and tax breaks at $34 billion per year. As oil prices crater again, Canadians are calling for a new way forward: a stronger, cleaner economy, support for workers, and funding for critical services.  Harper's habits die hard - and we can be sure oil companies are lobbying hard to get a bailout in the next budget. 

 

Harper Conservatives are under pressure to bail-out giant oil companies and show a balanced budget. Something’s gotta give - and it could be major cuts to services that people rely on. With the budget coming soon, and the parties releasing their platforms in an election year, this is the moment to speak out for a better future.

 

Tell our political leaders: don’t bail out giant oil companies! Let’s end cushy tax breaks and subsides for oil companies, and invest in a clean energy economy. The Harper government has gifted billions in tax breaks and subsidies for fossil fuel industry. Imagine if that same money was spent on renewable energy power sources -- or re-training oil industry workers for the jobs of the future. Reality is, the clean energy industry already employs more Canadians than the fossil fuel industry - and right now, the oilsands brings in just 2% of Canada’s GDP.

 

Government investments in strategic industries, and the occasional bail-out, can make sense with the right conditions. But why give billions to the most destructive group of companies on Earth, especially when their boom always goes bust? 

 

Economists are saying that this a “once-in-a-generation” opportunity to fix bad energy policy. This could be game-changing, but we have to send a clear message to political parties now. Tell Stephen Harper and our political leaders: don’t bail out big oil! End subsidies for corporate giants and invest in a clean energy economy: http://www.leadnow.ca/dont-bail-out-big-oilhttp://www.leadnow.ca/no-bail-outs-for-big-oil 

 

Jamie, Kelly and Rodrigo 

on behalf of the Leadnow.ca team 

Ottawa