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HOME  Ottawa says no to lowering air security tax, for now |
| Ottawa says no to lowering air security tax, for now | | Published by: wktd 2009-01-09 |
| | The subject line kinda says it all in a nutshell, but the full story can be found at:
http://makeashorterlink.com/?I31C12562
It looks like the government is experiencing a deficit, in terms of the air security tax covering the proposed expenses for improving airport security, notwithstanding the accounting principles, mentioned in the article.
I would indeed propose a variable rate of the security tax, based either on distance and/or on the base fare of the ticket. I might (like the principles of income tax - in terms of a threshold income starting to be taxed, or of provincial sales tax in terms of the minimal cost of the item before it is subject to tax) consider a threshold cost of a ticket below which it is not subject to this tax.
If I can add my 2 cents to the growing debate, I believe the security fee should only be one aspect of improving our homeland defences. Other aspects could/should include improved communication between all law enforcement/transport ministries, etc together with better Immigration enforcement. I have absolutely no problem welcoming genuine immigrant/refugees/asylum seekers, but am embarassed when many news reports post-911 pointed out how easy it was for "new arrivals" to stay indefinately with little or no effort made to track down and deport the ones who long overstayed their welcome.
To expect one tax to solve the complex security problem is unreasonable.
That having been said, I don't think Ottawa looked long enough at the implementation of a security tax before slapping on the flat fee approach we have in place now. Maybe Manley will get dream up a better plan on one of his long-distance runs. Or maybe Ferarri will take the minister up on the offer he made in the article to accept submissions up to 31st December for improved security tax ideas and drop him a line.
But don't hold your breath as this is the same bunch that promised to rid us of the GST.
The Airports need to cough up on this one, thet provide the airport and charge the fees, then they should ensure they are secure....
cost of doing business.!.
When you have YVR Clearing 1.billion a year they should....
YVR are to mean to have the airlines collect the taxes on the tickets cause they don't want to pay them for doing....
Its outragous that we have to foot the bill for every thing......
The principle of paying a progressive amount is similar to those of progressive income tax - to get the same service (eg public health care - let us not go into the private health care debate) - people who earn more, pay more income tax, and get the same service.
Shoppers Drug Mart Corporation opens first Murale store in Ottawa ::
For most long-term capital gains, you're taxed no more than 15% of the value of the asset. Social Security Tax Calculator. Social Security Tax
http://www.foxbusiness.com/story/markets/industries/retail/shoppers-drug-mart-corporation-opens-murale-store-ottawa/HOME |
Similarly, if a passenger can only afford to buy a economical ticket for a short-hop flight, compared to the next passenger who pays for a business class ticket and flies transcontinental (of course, I would say that one who flies transborder, or overseas, should pay more than one who flies domestically), should not the first passenger pay less for the service? If the answer is no, than one will continue to see erosion of short-haul flights, as one is seeing with Westjet and Air Canada - the people who find alternatives, such as Via in the Eastern triangle, or car/bus between Edmonton and Calgary.
PS-Of course, other flat fees and taxes will also contribute to the erosion of traffic on short-haul routes.
[This message has been edited by FlyerGoldII (edited 11-09-2002).]
Originally posted by FlyerGoldII:
It looks like the government is experiencing a deficit, in terms of the air security tax covering the proposed expenses for improving airport security, notwithstanding the accounting principles, mentioned in the article.
I would indeed propose a variable rate of the security tax, based either on distance and/or on the base fare of the ticket. I might (like the principles of income tax - in terms of a threshold income starting to be taxed, or of provincial sales tax in terms of the minimal cost of the item before it is subject to tax) consider a threshold cost of a ticket below which it is not subject to this tax.
Sorry but I have to disagree with this. What difference does it make how far you are traveling? You have to go through the same security procedures if your traveling YVR-YYZ than if you are going YVR-YLW. So why should the people going long haul have to pick up the slack for the short haul people. It should be one rate for everyone and that rate should be alot lower than it is now.
Hopping in here with a different view. Canada is not the USA, over 90% of our population is located within 100 miles of America. Thus geography has been an asset and a liability. The tax should not be progressive as FGII states.
Air Transport is more essentiel here than most countries. Ottawa has at times given the true cost of the service of security, and it is a fraction of the current $24.
We should be encouraging east west travel not north south (God I'm sounding like an an 1880's politician).
Alan Greenspan said "all taxes are a drag on the economy, it's just a matter of degree".
End the tax completly, and now. This would eliminate the discouraging drag of this $24. After all that's what income tax into general revenue is for.
 What dress should i wear for an interview ?
 Financial Representative =Insurance salesman?
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