Edmonton Journal calls for higher taxes?

Okay, this isn’t straight from the editorial board, but the Journal did publish a column today by Dr. Roger S. Smith, professor emeritus and former U of A vice-president, research, and dean of business, calling for an Alberta sales tax and higher gas taxes.

The logic is that our resources will run out (or at least revenues from them), and when they do we’ll need some other sources for money. He also argues that these taxes can supplement the Heritage Fund, getting us to $100 billion in the bank by 2030, which would provide revenue (from interest) of $3.5 to $5 billion per year (about half of our current resource revenue).

Unfortunately in 20 years we’ll likely need a lot more revenue than we do now, but luckily a sales tax would grow directly with our population.

He even gives us a short term bonus: a slowly implemented sales tax (3% in 2010 and up a percent or two each year after that) would stimulate spending from people who don’t want to pay more in January.

Hopefully someone (in the Tory cabinet) takes note of this column and the ideas therein (which have been heard before).

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5 thoughts on “Edmonton Journal calls for higher taxes?”

  1. Pingback: Anonymous
  2. Oemissions says:

    We OD’d on automobiles decades ago. We have far too many and how many more are we going to permit on this planet. Gas tax should be higher and higher and people should have insurance where they pay per go.
    Also, if traffic violations and idling fines were enforced we would have billions for light rail.

    Reply
  3. April Masei says:

    Wow.

    Asking for more tax…
    Question: How stupid does one have to be to give up money for no return
    Answer: A socialism supporter

    Reply
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