Recently, I took part in the CBC’s foray into exploring blogger’s perspectives on this provincial election, and it’s possible that someone may have actually read what I wrote.
Carbon caps versus 300,000 phantom jobs. Every time the words ‘carbon caps’ are mentioned, Ed Stelmach holds 300,000 ‘phantom jobs’ hostage. These are oil and oil-dependent jobs we would lose out on, should the Progressive Conservatives ever update their environmental policy from the 1800’s. These jobs don’t exist in reality, because Alberta will be 300,000 workers short within ten years anyhow. Nevertheless, carbon emissons caps will destroy 300,000 jobs that exist in the twilight zone regardless. Mason wants to slow things down and tax the oil fatcats, Taft categorically rejects the either/or assumption of the question, whereas Hinman had nothing of substance to offer.
Here’s what happened since:
cbc.ca: Stelmach softens job loss statistic in final days of campaign
After repeatedly insisting that caps on carbon emissions would lead to the loss of more than 300,000 jobs in Alberta, Progressive Conservative Leader Ed Stelmach altered his message Tuesday.
Reporters have asked Stelmach several times, including during the leaders’ debate last week, for the source of the statistic without receiving an answer.
On Tuesday in Calgary, the question arose again, and as Stelmach was formulating an answer, his communications adviser jumped in with some prodding: “Across Canada, make that clear, premier, Alberta and across Canada.”
The Tory leader then said, “Yeah, these are 300,000 jobs across the country of Canada, and that’s a small amount given the fact that 745,000 jobs rely on the oil and gas industry in the country of Canada.”
I’d like to think my comment fed into the greater consiousness of political discourse in this province. Although I can’t prove any direct causaul link between the two, it’s still kind of exciting.
Sphere: Related Content
{ 0 comments… add one now }