The Liberal candidate for Guelph, Frank Valeriote, is on the record as opposing many elements of Stephane Dion's carbon tax plan.

Of course, that was before Stephane Dion decided that he himself was for a carbon tax after he was against a carbon tax.  Perhaps Frank Valeriote will find himself making a sudden conversion (at least until Stephane Dion changes his mind again).

But until that happens, what we do have is a Liberal candidate who thinks a carbon tax is a mistake.  Worse yet is taking government money and investing it in green technology development:

Stephane Dion today introduced his costly carbon tax plan, but while Liberals across Canada sing its praises, Guelph Liberal candidate Frank Valeriote stands opposed to sections of Dion's plan.

When asked about the possibility of a carbon tax last year, Frank Valeriote said he opposed several of the very initiatives contained in Dion's carbon tax plan.

From the Guelph Mercury, on March 20, 2007: "He said the government shouldn't help industries invest in green technologies. Instead, the government should place a cap on greenhouse gas emissions, Valeriote said."

Dion's carbon tax plan, his electoral centrepiece, contains several incentives for industries to invest in green technologies... the sort that Valeriote said he opposes.  Which raises the question, does Valeriote support or oppose Dion's plan?

Uncomfortable silence comes from the Frank Valeriote team:

Locally, Liberal candidate Frank Valeriote has been completely silent on the plan, and where he stands. He has issued no press releases. He has stated only two things publicly on this issue. Firstly, he supports a cap and trade program for greenhouse gas emissions. Cap and trade is a scheme that is supported by the NDP, but not by his leader, Stéphane Dion. Secondly, he opposes any government investment in green technology. The new Dion carbon tax scheme includes such an investment, in the form of an “Accelerated Capital Cost Allowance for green technologies”.

I have no doubt Frank Valeriote will deep-six his previous position and start waving the green flag for Stephane Dion.  But then he'll have to explain just why he has changed his mind.