OTTAWA/VANCOUVER: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) has launched an online petition campaign and YouTube video at www.NoCarbonTaxes.com, as part of its continuing campaign to oppose carbon taxes and carbon trading schemes.

"A carbon tax or trading scheme would be bad for Canada," stated CTF Acting Federal Director Adam Taylor. "It would drive up the cost of heating your home, increase the price you pay at the pumps and make the cost of anything and everything transported to store shelves go up. These tax policies will be particularly onerous in Canada where temperatures are cold, travel distances are significant and the manufacturing sector is already suffering. Energy prices are high enough in Canada."

While carbon taxes and trading schemes are topical during this election campaign, the CTF's online petition is aimed at both federal and provincial lawmakers. "All federal and most provincial politicians support implementation of one, if not both policies," added Taylor.

"British Columbia's carbon tax is hugely unpopular," stated CTF B.C. Director Maureen Bader. "So-called revenue-neutral carbon taxes may be in vogue in Europe now, but here, Gordon Campbell's poll numbers are falling faster than the temperature. Already his government is scrambling to minimize the impact by giving municipalities carbon tax exemptions and the trucking industry a brake on tolls. Unfortunately for the premier, he can't minimize the anger over paying GST on the carbon tax at gas pumps and energy bills as we head into the winter months."

"European countries have imposed carbon taxes since the early 1990s and they have largely failed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions," concluded Taylor. "Carbon taxes have brought fewer manufacturing jobs and new programs to address fuel poverty, however. The CTF's YouTube video asks: "Is this what we want for Canada "

The CTF's petition adds: "Making all of us poorer is not going to help household budgets, boost a fragile economy or change global temperatures."