TT >> (Trucker Topic) Truckers to Tory Gas Prices Task Force (From Canada News Wire)

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Truckers to Tory Gas Prices Task Force: If You Are Serious About Providing Relief to Motorists, Lower the Provincial Tax on Fuel

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TORONTO, Feb. 14 /CNW/ - The Ontario Trucking Association (OTA), appeared before the Ontario Gas Prices Task Force at Queen's Park today with a simple message. If the Government of Ontario wants to provide relief to truckers and other motorists from escalating gasoline and diesel fuel prices, it need look no further than its own provincial fuel taxes. David Bradley, OTA president, told the task force of government MPPs that "for too many years, successive governments have viewed the provincial diesel fuel tax - which accounts for 25% of the current rack price of diesel - as a cash cow." "Commercial diesel fuel is not a luxury and should not be taxed as such. At least 90% of all Ontario consumer products and foodstuffs, including 80% of all Ontario trade with the United States moves by truck." "Truckers, both companies and independent operators, are being pummeled by a 147% increase in the rack price of diesel fuel that has been visited upon the industry since this time last year. The carriers are attempting to pass the increase along to shippers, but its tough. Some independent operators are parking their trucks. Others are returning their vehicles to the dealers and handing them the keys. CB chat is about shutdowns and protests. No one wants that. Our job is to keep the trucks moving, to keep Ontario moving, but frustration levels are very high and the prospect of service disruptions should be taken very seriously." The Ontario truck diesel fuel rate is 14.3 cents per litre. Railway and air diesel is taxed at 4.5 cents per litre and 2.7 cents per litre, respectively. The truck diesel fuel tax rate in Ontario is at least 2 to 5 times higher than the prevailing tax rates in its major competitor/trading jurisdictions: New York (2.11 c/L) Michigan (4.55 c/L) and Pennsylvania (3.17===========================================

-- Dee (T1Colt556@aol.com), February 14, 2000


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