Freedom Flyer May 1990 Cover

Freedom Flyer 16

the official newsletter of the
Freedom Party of Ontario

May 1990




ECONOMICS AND THE ENVIRONMENT:

A RECONCILIATION

Dr. Walter Block
Dr. Walter Block

TORONTO (October 29, 1989) - Between fifty and sixty Freedom Party members, supporters, and guests were treated to a refreshingly positive and future-oriented perspective on the environment following a Sunday morning brunch at the Constellation Hotel.

Guest speaker was Dr. Walter Block, senior economist of Vancouver's Fraser Institute, an independent Canadian economic and social research and educational organization dedicated to the task of objectively documenting government intervention in the economy. Possibly best known for its advancement of the concept of "tax-freedom day" (that day of the year when the average taxpayer has paid his tax obligations to various levels of government), the Fraser Institute is now taking on one of the most challenging issues of the day: the environment.

With its new book released in November 1989, Economics and the Environment - A Reconciliation, the Fraser Institute argues that "there is no intrinsic conflict between the market and the environment. A reconciliation between economics and ecology is not only possible but desirable as well." Using the building blocks of free market prices, private property rights, and a justice system that protects such rights, the book's contributors demonstrate how the economics of the market can be used to attain ecologically sound environmental goals efficiently and effectively.

In face of the contradicting views expounded by many of today's leading environmentalists and politicians who argue that a global crisis appears unavoidable and that economic growth must be slowed through government action, the urgency of the Fraser Institute's message and advice is all the more significant.
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Possibly the best way to capsulize Dr. Block's message on the environment is through the following quote: "Privatize everything!" In a presentation that was both entertaining and informative, Dr. Block repeatedly demonstrated how governments and politicians have been evading economic realities and violating private property rights --- and how such government actions, policies and programs have become a major contributor to the world's environmental crisis. From acid rain to cigarette smoking, almost every conceivable environmental subject was touched upon.

Readers will be pleased to learn that Dr Block's speech has been transcribed in Consent, Freedom Party's newsletter of ideas and opinions on individual freedom. Videos of the presentation are also available to those interested. For details, contact us at e-mail.




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