ProudToBeCanadian.ca

Let’s start with a sensible comment, then get to the story:

Troy Tohm, 31, a guest service agent at a Calgary hotel, was flabbergasted when told about Air Canada’s initiative.

“You’ve got to be kidding. That’s one of the stupidest things that I’ve ever heard,” Mr. Tohm said. “It’s ridiculous because we already pay environmental taxes. Enough is enough. If I really want to donate, I will donate on my own.”

OK.  Now hold your nose as you read this ever-so upbeat-sounding report: 

Air Canada offers carbon-offset ticket

TORONTO — Air Canada passengers can now ease their guilt over global warming by buying carbon offsets, meaning a clear conscience for less than $20 on a return fare on popular routes.

On busy transatlantic routes such as Toronto-London, it will cost $19.20 to offset a passenger’s share of a plane’s carbon emissions. Domestically, a Vancouver-Montreal return flight will mean an extra $12.80 tacked on the ticket price.

Charles McKee, Air Canada’s marketing vice-president, became one of the first consumers to pay the voluntary environmental fee Monday on a Montreal-Boston booking, at a cost of $1.60 for the short-haul route.

“We believe that this will resonate very strongly with a great number of our customers, but we’re not so naive as to think that it will resonate with all customers,” Mr. McKee said in an interview.

It actually made me laugh. 

Read my own experience with this “carbon offsets” and “good karma” baloney.

“My experiment in thinking like a liberal. Official result: I feel like a total idiot.”

(Hat tip to Maureen)