Trevor Dailey's Weblog

Ezra Levant of TheRebel.media goes after Hunter Harrison, who is CEO of Canadian Pacific Railway, in a strange video commentary claiming that Harrison favours a tax increase for Alberta citizens. A clip of a few seconds from a 23 minute interview with Harrison is played as evidence of Levant's claim. Levant goes on and quotes from Harrison. Another clip of the interview is later played with Levant giving his commentary voiceover while Harrison's voice is muted. 

Levant is combining a January 15, 2015 interview and a May 15, 2015 speech to CP shareholders by Harrison. Levant does not reveal this, nor does Levant provide any source for the video interview, or the onscreen Harrison quotes. I had to track the sources down myself. (I will continue to search for a recording or transcript of Harrison's speech to CP shareholders) 

In introducing the clip of the Harrison interview, Levent says:

Well, here's one fellow [Harrison] who says he wants taxes...

Harrison says no such thing. Harrison is talking about how some do not like the private rail industry making a profit in the interview clip. He is not talking about taxes. 

Refering to Harrison, Levant later says:

… [Harrison says] on behalf of all Albertans he would welcome a one or two cent gas tax...

That is a lie. Harrison is talking about Alberta locomotive fuel tax and corporate tax, and how CP would be willing to pay extra in Alberta locomotive fuel tax and corporate tax. Harrison is not favouring or suggesting an increase in the automobile fuel tax for citizens of Alberta, nor a personal tax increase for citizens of Alberta as Levenat claims. Harrison is speaking only for CP. From the Calgary Herald: 

At CP’s annual shareholders’ meeting Thursday, Harrison said the Calgary-based railroad would be willing to pay higher fuel and corporate taxes to do its part as “a good corporate citizen” in the province to help the government deal with a $7-billion decline in revenues resulting from the collapse in oil prices.

“Look, somebody’s got to pay the bills,” said Harrison, the outspoken chief executive who has led a renaissance at Canada’s second largest railway in the past three years. “We’re a citizen here and we take the good and we have to help with the bad times and we’re willing to do our fair share.”

I do not know what Levant's motive is for providing such obviously wrong infomation in his TheRebel.media video commentary, but he clearly did not bother to make sure he knew what he was talking about before he opened his mouth and stuck his foot in it.

© Trevor Dailey

Interview with Railroader of the Year Hunter Harrison

Current and Historic Alberta Tax Rates (from January 1, 2000 to current) 

Rail by province

Hunter Harrison says CP Rail ready to pay higher Alberta taxes: ‘We’re willing to pay our share’

CP Rail boss OK with paying higher taxes to help Alberta

Railway boss Harrison says CP is prepared to pay higher taxes in Alberta

Hunter Harrison, CP Rail CEO, Ready To Pay 'Fair Share' Under NDP Government

Railway boss says CP is prepared to pay higher taxes in Alberta

Railway boss Harrison says CP is prepared to pay higher taxes in Alberta