Front Burner

Let me first say I love Front Burner and listen regularly. However, I found myself so triggered by Arno Kopeokey’s commentary during this podcast. Trotting out the government talking points about 80% of Canadians getting back more than they pay in tax and the other part about the tax not having any measurable affect on market prices. The evidence says something entirely different. I am so disappointed your podcast did not explore any further than the previously covered aspects while you sailed past some obvious issues that would have made this a standout discussion. Surely you would want to be ground breaking and more thorough than this? Instead it just reinforced the Federal government position and we were none the wiser after Arno was done. No mention of the fact all Canadians are required to pay the tax but only families, as a whole, get the refund. It is smoke and mirrors. As one tiny example; shipping companies are adding a sizable fuel surcharge to their deliveries and it is certainly not 1.1%. Common sense dictates this would have a significant affect on retail costs. You did not discuss Canada’s meager contribution to global greenhouse gases and whether it was fair to ramp up carbon tax on Canadians while other countries are just rubbishing the progress we make. You also failed to discuss the fact some parts of Canada have not developed and do not offer alternatives to carbon based fuels (NL is one of them). We are sitting ducks here in NL. Perhaps most annoying to me is the fact our government feels no obligation to combine the escalating tax with National programs and/or initiatives to reduce the enormous number of diesel trucks on our roads or make it really affordable to convert to electric heating. The government is only interested in taxing Canadians to submission relying on their belief the tax will make them rich and force greenhouse gas reductions. They need to be involved if they really mean it.

Jamie I’ve been enjoying the “new direction” you’ve been taking Front Burner and your guests. Thanks KHF-Big Fan Albuquerque , NM USA

The guest this morning Arielle Angel, was a horrible choice for a guest. She had a very apparent agenda and her reporting was very one side, not to mention she even said she had only been to 2 days of protests at Columbia so not sure how that makes her a expert. This should have been an hour long show with multiple guests from across the country. I would have no problem with Arielle Angel being on the show if their were another journalist with a differing opinion. Jayme did a good job of trying to play devils advocate but was unsuccessful in the end. I myself have no problem with the protests but wish the show was not so one sided and someone pushing their personal agenda.

Although I’m more interested in American events, Jayme Poisson provides a sobering analysis and even tempered discussions of events that I really enjoy even if the focus is on Canadian events. Armine Yalzinyan is one of my favorite guests- she explains economic policy beautifully