Dear Editor,

I like to stay warm in cool, damp weather and can afford to stay warm. I live here, in the Comox Valley where over 20,000 low-income residents deserve to be warm.

My latest Fortis gas bill had a carbon tax of $15.39 - not a big deal but it is huge tax: 69 per cent of the cost of gas. The gas cost was $22.18.

If our federal and provincial governments are going to punish middle- and low-income earners for staying warm, to export oil and gas, I say leave it in the ground for future generations.

Canada is number five in the world for oil exports. Who does this benefit? Certainly not those who chose to stay warm or need to drive to work. Punished for exporting oil and gas.

Indeed, cancel Keystone and Trans Mountain, Kitimat LNG-only the wealthy can afford the price we will pay in carbon taxes.

So much more economic pain for lower-income Canadians.

Sadly it will change nothing in the global environment. Only hardship for low-income earners. Leave it in the ground.

Phil Harrison,

Comox