On choices

No, I won't reinforce yet another example of the Canadian Taxpayers' Federation having its nonsense published without a serious challenge. And indeed, the CTF makes an embarrassing show of talking up changes related mostly to relative provincial inflation rates while conspicuously omitting the main reason why inflation actually was an issue in Ontario.

But in running with the theme of tax changes for 2011, the Star does point out a handy contrast in looking at what's being treated more and less generously for tax purposes:

Ottawa is also allowing a five-point increase in the deductible portion of meal expenses for long-haul truckers, from 75 to 80 per cent.

But, starting Jan. 1, Canadians will no longer be able to receive a federal credit of up to $1,500 for improving the overall energy efficiency of their homes.

That's right: the long-distance transfer of goods through the mode of transportation which causes the greatest possible energy use and damage to infrastructure is being rewarded with increasing tax breaks by the Cons - at the same time as efficiencies which reduce the need for wasted energy are being treated as unworthy of any support.

Of course, in the greater scheme of the Cons' efforts to use the federal government as a marketing wing of the oil sands, the 2011 tax changes make for extremely small moves. But the fact that the Cons are taking deliberate steps to encourage avoidable energy use even while cutting what few programs still exist to support greater efficiency nonetheless offers a strong hint as to whose interests they're really serving.

(Edit: fixed wording.)