ROBIN ADAIR
VANCOUVER ISLAND – “Axe the (Carbon) Tax” is the chant reverberating across the country and national opinion polls show it’s a message really striking a chord.
To begin to understand the political shift, you only have to attend a Conservative rally in communities like Duncan, Nanaimo or Port Alberni to see working families and young people enthusiastically responding to Pierre Poilievre’s anti-taxation message. And why have these folks in union towns abruptly changed allegiance, pulling away from decades of support for the federal New Democrats?
Well, it’s a lot more than just high taxes as average Canadians increasingly feel marginalized and ignored by the powers that be. They just don’t want to take it anymore.
National polls indicate that a majority of Canadians believe the country is broken and are dissatisfied with the direction it’s taking. These surveys show a universal discontent among all age groups in every region. It is clear that after eight years the Trudeau Liberal activist agenda is seen as by many as irresponsible and running out of time.
We are in the midst of a cultural re-set as we determine the “new Canadian way”. Traditionally, we’ve prided themselves in being honest, hardworking and innovative and these should remain our touchstone as we strive to rebuild our industries and society and look to our children’s future. Creating a greener, sustainable environment should still remain a priority but must be done in concert with industry. LNG is a perfect example of a much cleaner energy source that can restore the planet while also strengthening our economic bottom line.
“Axe the Tax”, remains a catchy phrase but it’s the power behind it that hopefully will lead to a new way of doing things in Canada. It’s time for government to stop playing the role of big brother and instead be the ballast to business, workers and families that it promises to be every four years at election time. No more bloated bureaucracy with virtue signalling thrown in for good measure. It’s high time for things to be done differently.
Robin Adair is Co-Host Victoria Rumble Room