Price of Gas...

[xsbank]

...is giving me gas.

1.42/litre in Montreal yesterday
3.78 litres/US gallon

That means we are paying $5.36 Loonies per US gallon and the US is paying from $3.30 to $3.50 US per gallon. Our dollar is higher than theirs. Gee, I guess the US doesn't tax gasoline.... Why isn't this being talked about in this useless election? F*ck the tar sands, we are all being screwed. We sell our petroleum at world prices and we get hosed at home. Welcome to Canada, bend over for the gas tax and the GST and all the rest of it.

They say the solution is to buy smaller cars - wrong.

[slowstream]

OMG, that's freaking NUTS!!!!

I was in YVR yesterday, went for lunch with a friend, saw gas there was $1.35 a litre and said "holy crap" but you guys have that beat by a long shot!

Can you say Gouging at its best by the big oil companies?

[dcabrown]

I'm sure there is the ability to cut the tax out right. Except for the fact that the gax tax supports both your healthcare AND mine, not to mention public education.

Why the disparity in taxes between us and the US? How bout I answer that question with another question..

What would you prefer... no consumption taxes, or a $10,000 bill next time you may be in the hospital...

And the reason it is not being talked about in the federal election is because gas taxes are set provincially.

[dcabrown]

"Big oil" (Exxon,Cheveron,Total,Shell,Conoco,BP) is not responsible for oil prices. They are collectively a decreasing influence in global prices being dwarfed by National oil companies like PDVSA,Petrobras, Saudi Aramco, CNOOC and Sinopec and the Russian national oil companies (cant remember their names at the moment). THESE companies, if you dont know who they are, look them up. They are giants. And controlled by governments.

Also,
- The 80Billion barrels (10%) of oil reserves that essentially went offline during the Libya conflict is a reason prices have spiked
- Production costs of better than $80/bbl for new Canadian oil production is a reason
- Limited oil reserves worldwide is a reason
- Greater proportions of reserves in the hands of national oil companies is reason
- Exponential demand and industrialization from BRIC countries is a BIG reason

Yes, big oil can influence prices to a very limited extent in local markets, but the primary driver of gasoline prices is the underlying price of crude oil.

There was a good reason why George Bush went to Saudi Arabia back in 2008 when prices spiked back then. Something about OPEC increasing production...

[dcabrown]

Gas Taxes by region. Even if you chopped the taxes by half, you're only talking about 15cents a litre in most cases, or about 10% of the total price.

Driving factor in gasoline prices are still crude oil and still costs to refine crude - which are going up due to it being more expensive to refine heavy canadian crude oil...
------------

Alberta 24.2¢
British Columbia 30.40¢
Manitoba 26.9¢
New Brunswick 37.4¢
Newfoundland 31.9¢
Northwest Territories 26.8¢G
Nova Scotia 38.4¢
Ontario 30.1¢
Prince Edward Island 36.8¢
Quebec 38.0¢
Saskatchewan 30.7¢
Montreal 39.3¢
Vancouver 39.85¢
Victoria 34.07¢
Yukon22.4¢

[Cat Driver]

What would you prefer... no consumption taxes, or a $10,000 bill next time you may be in the hospital...

If you have $10,000.00 and you are seriously ill go outside of Canada for treatment as you are quite likely to die waiting for treatment under Canada's socialistic health care system.

Canada is third world in their medical system...or maybe fourth world.

[ogc]

- The 80Billion barrels (10%) of oil reserves that essentially went offline during the Libya conflict is a reason prices have spiked

Unless you know about some resources outside of Libya that were shut down that statement is not true.

Libya produces 1.79 million barrels per day and only exports 1.542 million per day.

Thats 15th in the world and only equates to around 2% of total available on the world markets.

Not to mention that their proven supplies are only 47 billion barrels so I dont know where you go that 80 billion number from.

[MUSKEG]

Cat. You are right again.The only way to reduce these stupidly long wait times is to go to a two tier system. I have no problem paying taxes for those who can't afford to pay for their health care, but let those that can afford to pay, do so and get them out of the line. Why that is such an affront to the Liberal and NDP minded folk is puzzling. Everybody jumps up and down and hollers and yells about equal health care for everyone while people are dying waiting in line. What kind of logic is that? The system is broken and there is at present no way to fix it. Thirty six months for a Knee operation? Silly.

[Mig29]

I agree 2% of world's supply - so in short this oil price spike is one

BIG BULL S*** !!!!

[LegoMan]

The hosing is done by the government not the oil companies. The Canadian government charges taxes on taxes on the fuel which is like 30+% of the oil price.

[dcabrown]

- The 80Billion barrels (10%) of oil reserves that essentially went offline during the Libya conflict is a reason prices have spiked

Unless you know about some resources outside of Libya that were shut down that statement is not true.

Libya produces 1.79 million barrels per day and only exports 1.542 million per day.

Thats 15th in the world and only equates to around 2% of total available on the world markets.

Not to mention that their proven supplies are only 47 billion barrels so I dont know where you go that 80 billion number from.

47B is the proved number so you are correct. (I have the BP Stat Review of Energy in front of me)

I should have been more clear, 80B is the P2 (Proved+Probable) - but I'll have to hunt for the source on that.

Yes, it is only a small amount of CURRENT production. But the current price of oil reflects future demand and future (expected) reserves.

s

[dcabrown]

What would you prefer... no consumption taxes, or a $10,000 bill next time you may be in the hospital...

If you have $10,000.00 and you are seriously ill go outside of Canada for treatment as you are quite likely to die waiting for treatment under Canada's socialistic health care system.

Canada is third world in their medical system...or maybe fourth world.

What if you don't have $10,000 to begin with...

**NOTE TO ALL RICH PILOTS, HOW MANY OF YOU HAVE $10,000 SITTING IN A BANK ACCOUNT FOR THE NEXT TIME YOU ARE HOSPITALIZED, RAISE YOUR HAND**

I'm all for keeping taxes low and eliminating government waste. But we shouldn't be quick to blast taxes all the time.

One story that remains stuck in my head is going shopping in Buffalo with my GF... she purchased something with a price tag of $200, and the total price after taxes was like $204... My GF was quite excited and exclaimed to the ditzy sales person how awesome it was to not pay mega taxes like in Ontario.

But then she retorted very quickly, "yeah but you guys got your health taken care of..." and we both kinda looked at each other in sombre agreement.

And as for wait times? I agree, something needs to be done. The system needs an overhaul. But at least you or your loved ones will not die because you cant afford treatment. And in fact, we already live in a de-facto 2-tier healthcare system. (Mayo clinic anyone?)

[LegoMan]

What would you prefer... no consumption taxes, or a $10,000 bill next time you may be in the hospital...

If you have $10,000.00 and you are seriously ill go outside of Canada for treatment as you are quite likely to die waiting for treatment under Canada's socialistic health care system.

Canada is third world in their medical system...or maybe fourth world.

What if you don't have $10,000 to begin with...

**NOTE TO ALL RICH PILOTS, HOW MANY OF YOU HAVE $10,000 SITTING IN A BANK ACCOUNT FOR THE NEXT TIME YOU ARE HOSPITALIZED, RAISE YOUR HAND**

I'm all for keeping taxes low and eliminating government waste. But we shouldn't be quick to blast taxes all the time.

One story that remains stuck in my head is going shopping in Buffalo with my GF... she purchased something with a price tag of $200, and the total price after taxes was like $204... My GF was quite excited and exclaimed to the ditzy sales person how awesome it was to not pay mega taxes like in Ontario.

But then she retorted very quickly, "yeah but you guys got your health taken care of..." and we both kinda looked at each other in sombre agreement.

And as for wait times? I agree, something needs to be done. The system needs an overhaul. But at least you or your loved ones will not die because you cant afford treatment. And in fact, we already live in a de-facto 2-tier healthcare system. (Mayo clinic anyone?)

Not to change the direction of the conversation (oil prices) but if I use the hospital once every 2-3 years why am I paying so much taxes towards something I rarely use? That means that my doctor visit was not $100 but quite possibly $700. In which case to get a prescription for some tylenol, I'd rather use the hospital in the states.

People in the U.S. who have good jobs generally have medical insurance. The ditzy cashier at the store in Buffalo probably doesnt have health insurance... for obvious reasons.

[fish4life]

take a look at the medevac thread you'll have your answer, or more exorbitant spending

http://taxpayer.com/node/13427

let's just add this is tax free money

[SierraPoppa]

If you have $10,000.00 and you are seriously ill go outside of Canada for treatment as you are quite likely to die waiting for treatment under Canada's socialistic health care system.

After a quad bypass, an angioplasty and a double bypass over a 12 year time span, I can honestly say this is not my experience.

[ragbagflyer]

If you have $10,000.00 and you are seriously ill go outside of Canada for treatment as you are quite likely to die waiting for treatment under Canada's socialistic health care system.

Canada is third world in their medical system...or maybe fourth world.

Those are some bold statements; care to back them up with some actual studies supporting your claims? The lefties are out to get us aren't they! Damn Torontonians!

[warbirdpilot7]

What would you prefer... no consumption taxes, or a $10,000 bill next time you may be in the hospital...

If you have $10,000.00 and you are seriously ill go outside of Canada for treatment as you are quite likely to die waiting for treatment under Canada's socialistic health care system.

Canada is third world in their medical system...or maybe fourth world.

What if you don't have $10,000 to begin with...

**NOTE TO ALL RICH PILOTS, HOW MANY OF YOU HAVE $10,000 SITTING IN A BANK ACCOUNT FOR THE NEXT TIME YOU ARE HOSPITALIZED, RAISE YOUR HAND**

I'm all for keeping taxes low and eliminating government waste. But we shouldn't be quick to blast taxes all the time.

One story that remains stuck in my head is going shopping in Buffalo with my GF... she purchased something with a price tag of $200, and the total price after taxes was like $204... My GF was quite excited and exclaimed to the ditzy sales person how awesome it was to not pay mega taxes like in Ontario.

But then she retorted very quickly, "yeah but you guys got your health taken care of..." and we both kinda looked at each other in sombre agreement.

And as for wait times? I agree, something needs to be done. The system needs an overhaul. But at least you or your loved ones will not die because you cant afford treatment. And in fact, we already live in a de-facto 2-tier healthcare system. (Mayo clinic anyone?)

Oil is out of control.........Yet the automotive industry still puts out trucks with V8 Hemi's that get 15MPG. The average person does not need this type of vehicle, but sales are still there.. You only have yourself to blame.

As for health care, we have to pay for the ambulance ride in Ontario. It was not like this 20 years ago. The pay for health care plan will be here in 20 years.

[yyz monkey]

Bend over..

Gas prices for tomorrow:

Toronto/GTA: 1.321/L
Ottawa: 1.267/L
Montreal: 1.376/L
Calgary: 1.179/L
Vancouver: 1.357/L

http://www.tomorrowsgaspricetoday.com/

[azimuthaviation]

2 Billion people still ride their bike to work each day. And I guess I'll be joining them.

[warbirdpilot7]

Here's what it means to be a Canadian: 1. A governement that does not care about you at all (federal and provincial)2. Live in a "Have not" province 3. Not get a break on taxes 4. Looooooooooooong wait time for surgerys. 5. Allow the price of oil to sky-rocket, with out regard to the financial impact to families. 6. Sell off major manufacturing companies to off-shore enterprises who will lock you out.

I could go on, but I need to relax and have a beer....

[xsbank]

$3.30 - $5.36

If taxes are an average of 32% of the cost of gasoline in Canada, that means our cost should be about $3.30 x 1.32 = $4.35. Yet we're still about $1.00 more than the US price. Why?

For the 10 years I've been in Quebec (gag - that long?) I pay about 3500 per year for medical. You can bet your *ss I have not used $35,000 (plus interest plus its a taxable benefit) worth of medical stuff, most of the routine stuff is paid by the company medical plan. Most of us are healthy - like any good insurance plan, the insured are paying the premiums already and those payments are supporting the system. Where it all goes to hell are in provinces like Quebec where the money is wasted/stolen/paid to the mafia and not actually used on the health system, so the system doesn't work.

Stupid long wait times make the system a lottery - if you get sick and you manage to see somebody who is actually a medical person, before you die, the system works and everybody loves it. If you end up at the end of a queue in an emergency ward and they have no beds/doctors/nurses/drugs/operating rooms, you stay sick or you die and the system sucks.

[iflyforpie]

I'm not too concerned about gas prices. I filled up my car last month and I still have half a tank. It takes longer for my wife to drive to work than to walk so the truck gets driven even less. And now it is biking season.

At least we aren't in the UK, where gas is north of £5/gal.

[Highflyinpilot]

I dont like going to the hospital or doctors, but when I do, or my daughter does, or my wife, I like not paying to go!!!!

I learned to accept that taxes are a way of life.



Boy, we started on fuel, then tax, then hospitals. Thats funny!!!


P.S The water cooler???? When was that changed??

[fingersmac]

Not to change the direction of the conversation (oil prices) but if I use the hospital once every 2-3 years why am I paying so much taxes towards something I rarely use? That means that my doctor visit was not $100 but quite possibly $700. In which case to get a prescription for some tylenol, I'd rather use the hospital in the states.

You're making a pretty big assumption that you will remain healthy all your life. Fingers crossed for your sake.

[bmc]

What would you prefer... no consumption taxes, or a $10,000 bill next time you may be in the hospital...

If you have $10,000.00 and you are seriously ill go outside of Canada for treatment as you are quite likely to die waiting for treatment under Canada's socialistic health care system.

Canada is third world in their medical system...or maybe fourth world.

After having experienced hospitals and health care in Canada, Bahrain, Thailand, Japan, France and Switzerland, I regrettably agree with Cat. Here's one story from today's news.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/st ... ed384.html


Sadly, I would have to put Canada at the bottom of the list in terms of immediate access to MRI's, surgery, elective procedures. I have private health care and I pay when I use it. Every time I use the system, I get a bill that I either pay or my insurance pays. It works just fine.

When I see that a visit to emergency for a sore back costs about $300, I tend to try the heating pad, if you know what I mean. I think that if Canadians saw what the true cost is, they might not overload the system. But as long as people foolishly believe that it's free, expect the long waits at hospitals.