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On January 23, the people of Canada will have a clear choice – a choice between privileges for a well-connected few and real benefits for all mainstream Canadians. A choice between the unfulfilled promises of the past and a bright future of hope and opportunity for everyone.
As I travel across this vast country, I cannot help but be struck at the environmental diversity and grandeur that is our legacy as Canadians. Clean air, clean oceans, clean lakes and rivers, clean land – these were the inheritance left by the generations who went before us, and – provided we choose wisely now – these must be the gifts we pass to those who follow. Living on the second largest nation on earth, a land richly blessed with natural resources, Canadians know that the environment is everything. It is our past, our present, and our future.
This morning I am proud to announce one step in our environmental plan – a positive incentive to encourage the use of public transit. Public transit helps to reduce pollution, as well as emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. Public transit also helps to alleviate congestion and gridlock. One bus replaces 40 cars. A subway or train replaces many more. The question is not whether to support public transit but how to encourage ridership. We believe that the best approach must include a direct incentive to individuals and families. The incentive that we have chosen is targetted and effective – a tax break to those who use public transit.
This morning, I am pleased to confirm that our new government will allow Canadians to claim a tax credit on the cost of monthly public transit passes when they file their income tax. This made-in-Canada clean-air plan will increase transit ridership and reduce traffic congestion, smog and greenhouse gases.
Our plan will work because of how it is designed. The best way to encourage environmentally friendly behaviour is through positive incentives, and the best incentive is one targetted to individual action. All Canadians who use public transit, for whatever purpose, will save money. Our tax credit for transit users will put hard-earned dollars back in the pockets of Canadians, and at the same time help our environment. This tax credit will save the average regular commuter $153 annually. Here in Vancouver, someone who uses a Translink Farecard will save between $132 and $250 per year, depending on the zones travelled. These are just the individual savings. A couple or a family can save twice as much, or more. This is a family-friendly policy. It includes child, student, and senior transit passes. Parents will be able to claim the tax credit on behalf of dependent children, and one spouse can claim the credit on behalf of another. The time for talk about public transit has ended. The time for action has come. This is a real incentive that will encourage more people to take public transit, meaning fewer cars on the roads and cleaner air.
The policy that I have announced today is not a substitute for funding of public transit infrastructure. This is an incentive to increase transit ridership. There must and there will be infrastructure programs. I will address these in coming days. There will always be some who oppose directing incentive to individuals and families. They include the current government, whose clean air policy involves using our tax dollars to buy “pollution credits” from Russia and other foreign countries. They think it’s good policy to send our tax dollars overseas, to buy credits allowing Canada to increase greenhouse gas emissions. We know it’s folly. Buying pollution credits from countries such as Russia will do nothing for the environment, in either country. Instead of sending our tax dollars to Russia or anywhere else, we plan to use them here to provide incentives for Canadians.
On January 23rd, only one party offers a real incentive to take public transit – one that will mean fewer cars on the roads and cleaner air for all. Only one party offers a made-in-Canada program to protect the environment and fight traffic congestion.
On January 23rd, stand up for accountability, stand up for the environment, and stand up for Canada.
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For further information: Conservative Party Press Office (613) 755-2191
