Whitehorse - The Yukon Liberals have offered to cover the carbon costs of the flight from Calgary to Whitehorse for Paige T. MacPherson, the Alberta Director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF).

MacPherson is coming to Whitehorse to take part in a presentation hosted by the Yukon Chamber of Commerce regarding the pros and cons of the carbon tax that the federal government will be introducing in 2018. The Albertan will be arguing the CTF's position against the carbon tax, while Yukoner Forest Pearson, a geological engineer, will be presenting the pro side of the debate. All four political parties have been invited to attend the event. 

Since May 2007, all Air Canada passengers have had the option to pay a small fee that helps offset the carbon emissions produced by their flight. According to the carbon portal on Zerofootprint, which is facilitated through Air Canada's website, a round trip from Calgary International Airport to Whitehorse International Airport produces an amount of 0.347 tonnes of CO2e. The cost to offset the carbon emissions excluding taxes is $5.95. It is unclear whether the CTF, an organisation dedicated to fighting fees it deems unnecessary, would be willing to allow its employees to participate in Zerofootprint's carbon offset program.

The presentation will take place on Thursday, November 3 at the Coast High Country Inn Convention Centre. The cost is $35 per person. Doors open at 11:30.

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For more information please contact: 

Yukon Liberals

668-4748