IMF proposes 50% gas price hike in Canada

...article not coming up for me, but I presume this is not the Impossible Mission Force!

 

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is proposing a 52% (!) increase on energy taxes to be offset by an equivalent reduction in personal and capital taxes, making it effectively "revenue neutral." Sounds good in theory, but if energy costs are increased, the cost to the end-users (i.e. consumers) will rise by an equivalent amount. So, the consumer pays more for energy and for all other purchases (food, etc.) since the increased energy costs to business is ultimately passed on to the consumer. It may turn out to be "revenue neutral" to government (I have my doubts about that...), but the consumer ends up bearing the brunt of the costs (as always.)

 

The price of energy bears little resemblance to the true cost. With a level playing field, free of subsidies of any form, gasoline would indeed be much higher. Personally, I'd far rather pay directly for my use of energy, and not through some totally unrelated 'tax' on my house or income.

 

unfortunately, no one will pay attention to this.

 

^...we're really not a very bright species, are we?

 

survival of the fittest doesn't require high iq, just look at me.

 

Survival of the fittest doesn't mean the biggest and baddest will win out, either, which is how we seem to have misinterpreted the idea.

 

Survival is retrospective.

 

Who wudda thunk ?

 

That should read 52% increase in gas Taxes I believe.

 

I agree!! Create and keep more jobs here.

 

It is a nutty idea period. People have to have cars to get around. It will just make us all poorer.

 

From a news story a few days ago, where a 7 year old was found unaccompanied in a park, it appears that allowing a child (at least of a certain age) walk to/from school alone is now considered criminal child neglect in many places.

In my place (rural USA) and time (nearly a half century ago), when the weather was good, I was frequently walking home alone from 1st grade (0.9 mile) and even kindergarten (0.7 mile). And so were a number of others. But it was never barefoot, uphill into a howling blizzard.

 

ah, i remember those sweet days. too many kids disappear today when left on their own. unfortunately, it's not 1950's usa anymore. too many predators out there.

 

I wish something like this can happen in the UNITED STATES.
Short term it would hurt the economy.
But long term, our economy would be stronger, create more jobs.
Better fuel efficient vehicles; getting those gas hogs OFF the road.
Making this country a more greener country.
Would be GREAT for PIP'S and all electric cars!!

Probably will not happen in the U. S.
Maybe in Canada??

 

We could use the 9 cents a gallon tax to help pay for our badly damaged roads and bridges. That's what it's supposed to be for anyway.

Currently, the US federal gas tax is 18.4 cents, so a 52% increase would be 9.5 Cents.

 

I'm all for raising the federal gas tax; if it all would go toward our inter-structure.
Our federal roads and bridges are falling apart.
Remember that interstate bridge that fell .... it was on a " bad bridge list".