2015 03 01
Prime Minister Stephen Harper, MP
pm@pm.gc.ca
House of Commons, Ottawa, K1A 0A6
Dear Mr. Harper
I am writing to ask you to set a clear end date when Canada will no longer subsidize fossil fuels. We now know that it is most important that exploration and development dollars for oil and gas (The CEE - Canadian Exploration Expense and CDE – Canadian Development Expense), must be converted to research and development dollars for renewable energy infrastructure so we can meet our objectives of a transition to a renewable energy economy.
We also need to stop subsidizing the externalization of costs. Companies have to include the costs of preventing toxic substances from escaping into the air, water and soil into their product. They have to include the costs of cleaning up their own mess into their product pricing and be responsible to do so. As far as I know, the best mechanism of doing this is some form of carbon pricing. Canadians are ready for carbon pricing. Let’s get on with it.
When will we be able to say Canadians are no longer subsidizing the Fossil Fuel sector? The sooner we can do this, the sooner we will be on our way to a strong economy for our children and grandchildren.
Cc The Hon. Joe Oliver, MP
Minister of Finance
Joe.Oliver@parl.gc.ca
The Hon. Greg Rickford, MP
Minister of Energy
greg.rickford@parl.gc.ca
Opposition critics