Compare gas prices

[JesseJ]

99.9 in some places in Calgary today. I filled at 94.9 -7¢ at Superstore.

Albert'a's lucky there isn't PST as well as GST.
And what's with the Liberals actually looking at a TAX REDUCTION in Alberta on gas per liter?? Where's the Klein Conservatives who have not rolled back any taxes in their quest for econmic freedom, instead cutting necessities. I see 0% leadership in this province right now, and am not happy where we are heading.

[ken0042]

I'm confused KinStud. Are you saying the provincial gov't should cut back on how much they tax us, instead of cutting back on expenses?

[JesseJ]

hahahah
I know....I know

I think the gas tax is BS. 9¢/L is too much.
But at the same time, they have done nothing to improve my province with that money. Based on last years surplus of $5 Billion, I should see improvements in things like health care wait times, the cost of education, infrastructure. Instead I see roads decay, wait times increase, prices go up, and a hospital imploded! I don't like rampant spending, and I do applaud fiscal responsibility, but not to the detriment of society. And now the Gov't wants us to purchase bonds to go back into debt? What for? I see no direction or leadership in the province right now. Nanuuk and I chatted about this recently. Despite our differences in things, we do agree on this. Ralph should just quit now so we can get a new leader who actually cares.

[nfitz]

Originally Posted by Nanuuk

UnclePercy, you should also know that about 50% of the pump price in Canada is due to federal/provincial taxes. As I understand it, in the U.S. you don't see this level of taxation on a gallon of gas. If you equalize the taxation, I believe the Canadian pricing is marginally favourable compared to the U.S.

When gas prices were about 55¢ a litre, then tax may have been 50% of the pump price, but because most of the gas tax is fixed, except for the 7% GST, taxes have not increased much ... for example, if gas increased from 50 ¢/L to $1/L then the tax increase would only be 3.5¢ of GST ... meaning the other 46.5¢ increases was not tax!

There's a very poor article about this today at http://www.pulse24.com/Business/Top_...0-001/page.asp

(poor, because it completely fails to note that taxes haven't been going up., while the pump price has).

But they do note what the current gas and tax prices are in many cities and towns across the country. For example in Vancouver, you can see that of the $1.055 per Litre, only 37.4¢ is tax ... 35.4% of the pump price. In Toronto it is 32.3%. The highest proportion was 38.4% in St. John's, and the lowest was in Whitehorse where only 21.4% (23.3¢) of the $1.089 per gallon was tax!

On the bright side, prices are still relatively cheap in Canada. I'm off to the England next week where prices hit 90.2 p/L this week (that's $1.96/L.)

Look for more increases, Oil hit a new record high again today! Almost $79/barrel (touched US$65/barrel).

Nick

[Nanuuk]

Originally Posted by KinStud

hahahah
I know....I know

Nanuuk and I chatted about this recently. Despite our differences in things, we do agree on this. Ralph should just quit now so we can get a new leader who actually cares.

I deny it!

[dialog_gvf]

The gas taxes ARE to high. I never liked the idea of them being a percentage of the pump price. Governments should have to justify EVERY increase, or make it totally visible if it is a percentage (like the GST/PST).

That said, they aren't as outrageous as everyone wants to believe (presumably out of some hope the government can come to our rescue).

This all said:

CDN $1 per litre
CDN $3.79 per US gallon
US$ 3.08 per US gallon (US$ == CDN$1.23)

So, gasoline is 20-25% more expensive in Canada. All due to taxes. And that goes to pay for a lot of expensive things (like health care).

It could be brought down, because the government is getting an undeserved/unauthorized windfall, but not by much.

Economically, fortunately, the high oil prices are a push. We are a net exporter, so it is great for our current accounts SURPLUS (oh my, what a glorious thing to be able to say).

Gary

[JesseJ]

Originally Posted by dialog_gvf

Economically, fortunately, the high oil prices are a push. We are a net exporter, so it is great for our current accounts SURPLUS (oh my, what a glorious thing to be able to say).

And that's another thing thjat has be upset. Alberta makes so much off the sale nd taxes from business, that I think it's unreasonable for them to be charging 9¢/L extra on consumer gas.

The fed position is a little different though, 10¢/L or whatever it is, in infrastructure promises that never come through, or dolled out equally, or go toward public transit when the majority of input is from private autos. The the 7% ontop. Double taxation should be illegal, but it isn't.

[Nanuuk]

The gas taxes are driving governments into the black. Personally, I see way too much speeding and way too many gas guzzlers on the road to be concerned. I do get testy when governments don't return the money to the road or transit systems. Especially testy when the Feds keep it for income redistribution.

[Diamond]

Nanuuk and I chatted about this recently. Despite our differences in things, we do agree on this. Ralph should just quit now so we can get a new leader who actually cares.

Agree totally!

[dialog_gvf]

Originally Posted by KinStud

Double taxation should be illegal, but it isn't.

Agreed!!! And so should any hidden taxes.

The pump price should be immediately lowered to the real price. And the taxes (ALL of them) added at the cash.

The governments love to let the Arabs, oil companies, and gas stations take all the heat.

Gary

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by dialog_gvf

The pump price should be immediately lowered to the real price. And the taxes (ALL of them) added at the cash.

I don't like that at all. Not everybody fills their tank right up each time, what about those who put in $20 at a time? Also, what is to stop service stations from adding their own fees to gas prices? The sign outside says the same thing at one station vs. another, but one has higher prices due to the added fees.

Unlike most other items you buy, gas is something that can't really be put back if the customer doesn't have enough money. And I don't need to spend more time at the gas station standing behind the guy who is short for his gas purchase, and is trying to figure out a way to pay.

[dialog_gvf]

OK, so you're saying make the shown price all in, but the receipt still better have ALL the taxes listed, right?!

Gary

[ken0042]

That wasn't what I was saying, but it's one heck of a good idea though.

[Danster]

it usually tells on the pump how much money is taxes in the price that you see. Then there's the federal excise tax on top of all that. Take away all these and gas for NB would be about 64 cents.

[Jake]

Hey I saw regular gas for $1.08 in Montreal. Has anyone seen it higher than that? That is $4.08/gallon for our friends to the south.