While many are using high gas prices as a platform from which they can lob verbal bombs and allegations of price fixing at industry. Have any questioned whether some relief could come from the substantial taxes that all levels of our government add to the cost of gas?
http://www.taxpayer.com/newsreleases/federal/May15-03.htm https://www.taxpayer.com/studies/federal/Gastaxreport-a.htm A quick look at the Calgary Sun offers even more information. ----------------- FUELLING VOTER ANGER The Calgary Sun Thu 13 May 2004 Page: 14 Section: Editorial/Opinion Column: Editorial As motorists fume over record gas prices being charged at the pumps, they should keep in mind the federal environment minister is on record as supporting even higher gas prices. Back in February, David Anderson mused out loud that Canadian drivers aren't paying enough for the pollution and environmental damage caused by their vehicles. "I'm not counting on a carbon tax," said Anderson. "That said, we have some of the lowest excise taxes in the world." And considering Prime Minister Paul Martin's first throne speech promised the Liberal government will not only "respect its commitments to the Kyoto accord," it will "go beyond Kyoto," there's no way that the Liberals are going to offer motorists any relief at the pumps. So we ask suffering motorists: How do you like the Kyoto accord now? --------------------- Our federal government (the same government that is preparing to undertake yet another commission on whether price fixing is a going concern) actually thinks that we are not paying enough tax. As an aside, numerous commissions and research studies have repeatedly shown that concerns over price fixing are unfounded. In the end, 'big business' makes a whole lot less on gas than 'big government' does. Once refining costs, transfer costs, etc are accounted for, companies and retailers only make a few cents per litre. Various levels of government take in over 25 cents per litre when prices are below 70 cents. Perhaps we are focusing our concerns in the wrong direction. Perhaps we should be contacting our MP's and MPP's and encouraging them to deal with the tax situation rather than hounding industry. -- Jason Hayes - Principal Hayes Holdings Consulting [EMAIL PROTECTED] / www.hayz.ws Suite #1936 - 246 Stewart Green SW Calgary, AB, Canada T3H 3C8 Ph/FAX: 403.238.6779 _______________________________________________ clug-talk mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://clug.ca/mailman/listinfo/clug-talk_clug.ca
