Finance committee  I'll just jump in really quick on that. The theory is great; the reality is something completely different. The NDP government in Alberta has announced that, as it increases its carbon tax from $30 to $50 a tonne to comply with this bill, there will be no incremental increase

Finance committee  I appreciate Professor Leach defending multinational oil companies. I wish he were as passionate in defending low-income Albertans who are now going to have to pay the carbon tax without the rebate he recommended.

Finance committee  How so?

Finance committee  Mr. Chair, the attitude described by Mr. Kmiec was perfectly reflected by Alberta's premier, who in defending her carbon tax said that it will cause people to make better choices such as taking the bus. Well, there are millions of Albertans who don't live where there's any regula

Finance committee  Yes, I absolutely will. Thank you for the suggestion.

Finance committee  I've done nearly 1,000 events, and I have met tens of thousands of people in every walk of life and from every background across my province in the past 20 months. I have found overwhelming and passionate opposition to the carbon tax but also hostility to our energy industry, whi

Finance committee  Sorry.

Finance committee  Both the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association and the Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties have passed resolutions opposing the current government's policy.

Finance committee  Mr. Chair, in terms of being a credible voice, that will be up to Alberta voters to decide about a year from now. According to current polls, the party I represent has about a 35-point lead in voter intention in Alberta, in part because—

Finance committee  The member's asking a political question about our political credibility. I'm offering a political answer, which is that consistently, in public opinion polls the majority of Albertans support the party that I lead. We'll see if that holds through to the next election. We do not

Finance committee  I just have a question, Mr. Chair.

Finance committee  Thank you, Chair.

Finance committee  Thank you, Chair. Ms. O'Connell has a firm grasp of the obvious in identifying me as being alone on this panel in opposing carbon taxes. Happily, I'm not alone amongst Albertans, two-thirds of whom oppose carbon taxes, and I would invite anybody who believes that Canadians buy

Finance committee  No.

Finance committee  I've never hired a campaign manager. We had volunteers working in my leadership campaign, and I don't know everything that all of them ever said.