Volume 77 Issue No.1 Canadian consumers: Hit harder than ever Today is the second day Canadians are faced with paying extra and new taxes. There’s the goods and services tax, which is adding another seven per cent to just about every single thing a consumer could purchase. There’s also a new provincial increase in gasoline tax, which brings the price of that necessity up more than one cent per litre. The province derives a huge amount of revenue from gasoline sales, taking 11 cents per litre. Then, consider the added burden Joe Public is facing after he leaves the pumps. Word on the street is that it is becoming more economical to do our shopping elsewhere. On the Saanich Peninsula, we have somewhat of an advantage over the rest of Canada because of our relatively close proximity to the United States, some believe. Because of rising prices in Canada, the grass on the other side of the fence is looking greener all the time. The result is, when planing a ski vacation, why not choose Washington States’ Mt. Baker, and avoid high prices at Whistler or Mt. ‘Washington in Comox. The flood of cars across the Peace Arch crossing on the Lower Mainland is bound to increase in 1991 as consumers realize that making the trip across the line once a week can result in substantial savings. Before, savings on fuel, milk and liquor products were the most important reasons Canadians would cross the line. The benefit was marginal, dependent on whether the individual declared all his purchases, or stayed in the United States long enough that declaration wasn’t necessary. Now, we hear that the goods and services tax will be charged on all declared goods by Canada Customs officials working at the border crossing. But there could still be a net Savings to the consumer. It seems impossible to get away from higher costs. And dreaming that the solution could lie in higher wages is just that — a dream. Whether Pame Minister Brian Mulroney realizes it or not, it seems that his new tax is doing more to hurt the Canadian economy than it’s helping it. The only way around it seems to be spending less, saving a little, and planning major purchases far in advance with an eye to avoiding the great Canadian tax grab. That means the service industry will suffer, small merchants will suffer, and the Canadian economy will go into a downtum. When is a recession created by government? When a government’s actions make it more attractive to shop outside the country you live in. How should we react? Bite the bullet and understand that taking Canadian dollars out of Canada will only hurt ourselves. Letters to the editor must be signed and coniain the writer's address and telephone number. Letters should not exceed 500 words in lengih and may be edil- ed for clarity, legality or taste. TheReview Serving The Saanich Peninsula Since 1912 9726 1st Street Sidney, B.C V8L 3C9 or PO. Box 2070 Sidney, B.C V8L 3S5 Second Class Mail Registration #0128 Published every Wednesday 656-1151 Publisher: Vic Swan Editor: Glenn Werkman AN ISLAND PUBLISHERS NEWSPAPER