Tyler Schaefer

575 Elizabeth St W
Listowel ON, N4W 3T9

March 22, 2017

John Nater
59 Lorne Avenue East, Unit A
Stratford, Ontario N5A 6S4

Dear Mr. Nater,

As our world grows, so does pollution and we need the government to be the leaders to force change. I am
writing to you in the hopes you, and your party, will consider an increased tax on gasoline. Pollution is a major
issue and fixable. A gas tax is a guaranteed method for reducing emissions. There are side benefits to changing
behaviours related to driving.

Beyond anything, our world needs to curb pollution. Our worlds population is a stones throw away from 7.5
billion people (worldometers.info). With more people comes more pollution. Its a simple connection. According
to an article by bbc.com, air pollution is causing 5.5 million deaths every year. That is a scary statistic of the direct
impact. However, it is pollutions indirect impact that is even more unnerving. We have more carbon emissions in
our atmosphere than there have been for hundreds of thousands of years (nationalgeographic.com) and it is
commonly known, and scientifically supported, that carbon dioxide (CO2) is the most important gas in controlling
the worlds temperature (earthobservatory.nasa.gov). Moreover, pollution in the air is even impacting our oceans.
Oceans absorb CO2 and the excess CO2 in the air is causing the pH and calcium levels to alter
(soundwaves.usgs.gov). This could have drastic consequences on our marine habitats. The research is endless.
Our government needs to be a leader in addressing this issue.

A strong solution is a stronger gas tax. Currently, there are over 33 million cars registered in Canada alone
(statcan.gc.ca). When you consider the amount of gas and travel that is in our country, it is unimaginable to
picture it world wide. Cartalk.com notes that average car emits about six tons of carbon dioxide every year.
Canada is vast and we like to travel. But there is little doubt that we could travel less, carpool more often, or take
public transit. If we made a monthly or yearly tax based on our gas consumption, people would think twice before
taking their car. Less driving is less CO2 in the air. Consider this on a more larger scale. Companies would be
forced to relook how they do business. Deliveries, number of travelling business people, etc. would all become
more efficient. Those companies that didnt change, would be forced to pay the tax. This one tax would have a
long lasting impact. If we are causing people and companies to pay more money, they will naturally make positive
behavioural change for our environment and their long term sustainability.

The ripple effect of reduced gasoline use will be powerful. When people are forced to change their behaviour,
new opportunities will arise. Currently 74% of Canadians drive a vehicle to work (statcan.gc.ca). This number will
be reduced. Statscan also notes that the vast majority of commuters view public transit as inconvenient. A gas
tax will change this perception as well as promote voter emphasis on making transit a more viable option. All it
takes is a quick visit to bombardier.com (a Canadian company) to see the vast degree of options, such as the light
rail transit we are seeing built in Kitchener-Waterloo. In addition, people will see opportunities to ride their bike or
walk, as fitness levels are currently down 15 to 25 per cent over the last 30 years. Canada is out of shape in
many ways and a gas tax can be a catalyst for change.

Ultimately, our society needs to change and our hand must be forced. A direct way to change our Canadian
behaviour is through a gas tax. Pollution by carbon emissions is currently excessive and is damaging our earth.
A tax will help us to change our behaviour, and this change will have a positive impact on our lives in many ways.
I look forward to hearing your response and what our Canadian government is doing to ensure our world is
sustainable for years to come.

Sincerely,

Tyler Schaefer