High gas taxes are driving Lower Mainlanders south of the border at levels not seen in 15 years, according to the Canadian Taxpayers Federation's (CTF) Jordan Bateman.
People in Vancouver and surrounding areas made 15.4 million trips to Whatcom County across the border in Washington state last year, and Bateman said the first quarter of 2013 indicated a further 10% increase compared with the same period last year.
The CTF said drivers in Greater Vancouver pay $0.49 per litre in taxes, making it the second-highest gas tax in North America (Montreal drivers pay $0.01 per litre more).
"Lower Mainland gas prices would be competitive with the U.S. if our tax burden wasn't three-and-a-half times heavier," said Bateman.
"We are stalling our own economic growth with these high gas taxes. Not only do they increase the cost of every good and service moved in our province, they drive overtaxed Canadians south looking to save a few bucks."
A comparison of gas taxes and price per litre shows:
- Lower Mainland: untaxed $0.99, plus tax of $0.49 = $1.48;
- Rest of B.C.: untaxed $0.95, plus tax of $0.37 = $1.32; and
- Blaine, Washington: untaxed $0.95, plus tax of $0.15 = $1.10.
The savings of $0.38 per litre enticing Vancouver residents to Washington state can add up, with a difference of $22.80 to fill up a 60-litre gas tank, for example.
The CTF is in support of killing the carbon tax and eliminating "federal GST tax-on-tax," which it said would save drivers more than $0.09 per litre.
"Canadians are voting with their cars and wallets," said Bateman.
