Green Issues Splitting Urban, Rural Voters

In both the United States and Canada, this fall's federal elections are being driven by environmental issues, which are driving a wedge between urban and rural voters.

1 minute read

September 16, 2008, 11:00 AM PDT

By Michael Dudley


"In the U.S. and Canadian elections now under way, the traditionally dominant political factors are giving way to a politics in which wedge issues such as John McCain's "drill, baby, drill" and Stéphane Dion's Green Shift program are pitting city folk against high-consumption, low-density rural voters.

Questions of culture and identity have been the principal means by which U.S. politicians are driving wedges between urban and rural voters. In Canada, the consensus-oriented political culture and the higher degree of urbanization has kept the hard wedges from being hammered in.

The rise of environmental politics on the electoral main stage has created a further opportunity for the urban-rural split. Competing with the New Democrats and the newcomer Green Party for urban votes, Stéphane Dion's Liberals have proposed the Green Shift, a universal income-tax cut to be offset by new taxes on carbon users. For someone in a big-city apartment building who uses public transit, the impact will be largely positive. And for rural folks? Mr. Harper has replied to Mr. Dion's plan with a tax cut on diesel - the fuel of choice for agricultural equipment, heavy pickups, motorboats and long-distance trucking - while continuing a very soft approach to global warming.

In the U.S., a clash on environment and energy has run along similar lines."

Saturday, September 13, 2008 in Globe & Mail

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Wastewater pouring out from a pipe.

Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage

Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”

April 13, 2025 - Inside Climate News

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 16, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Blue and white Seattle Link light rail train exiting concrete Downtown Bellevue Tunnel in Bellevue, WA.

Why Should We Subsidize Public Transportation?

Many public transit agencies face financial stress due to rising costs, declining fare revenue, and declining subsidies. Transit advocates must provide a strong business case for increasing public transit funding.

April 7, 2025 - Todd Litman

Two people on bikes in red painted bike lane with bus in traffic lane next to them.

Understanding Road Diets

An explainer from Momentum highlights the advantages of reducing vehicle lanes in favor of more bike, transit, and pedestrian infrastructure.

April 17 - Momentum Magazine

Aerial view of large warehouses across from development of suburban single-family homes in Jurupa, California with desert mountains in background.

New California Law Regulates Warehouse Pollution

A new law tightens building and emissions regulations for large distribution warehouses to mitigate air pollution and traffic in surrounding communities.

April 17 - Black Voice News

Purple Phoenix light rail train connected to overhead wires at sunset.

Phoenix Announces Opening Date for Light Rail Extension

The South Central extension will connect South Phoenix to downtown and other major hubs starting on June 7.

April 17 - Arizona Republic