Public transit
Make no mistake: CAA-Quebec approves of the government’s desire to further develop public transit services in order to ease traffic on the principal arteries of the road network, and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. But the reality of Quebec must also be considered: it is a vast territory with uneven population concentrations, which makes the supply of public transit service and its profitability difficult. Consequently, imposing extra taxes that target motorists’ wallets is tantamount to punishing this consumer group.
CAA-Quebec believes that, rather than force motorists to dig even deeper into their pockets, the government should have considered valid, flexible and long-term alternatives to encourage consumers to give up their reliance on automobiles, to the extent that this is possible. This, unfortunately, has not been done in recent years.
Where are the incentives?
It is also regrettable that the government is raising the fuel tax without at the same time offering any true incentives for Quebecers to “drive greener.” Currently, the government offers tax credits only for the purchase of hybrid vehicles or vehicles that consume very little fuel. CAA-Quebec cannot at present view this program as a true incentive for motorists, because it offers only slightly attractive savings on purchases of vehicles that are relatively expensive, and sometimes aren’t even available in the Quebec market.
Why a “catch-all” fund?
Lastly, the true nature of the FORT is far from clear: in creating the fund, the government also announced that it will encompass three other funds that up to now were separate entities: the Fonds de contribution des automobilistes au transport en commun (Motorists’ Contribution to Public Transit Fund, $30 collected on each vehicle registration renewal), the very recent Fonds des partenariats en matière d’infrastructures de transport (Transport Infrastructure Partnership Fund, not yet active), and finally the Fonds pour la vente de biens et services du ministère des Transports du Québec (Ministry of Transport Fund for the Sale of Goods and Services). Because of this complex structure, the general purpose of the FORT is neither transparent nor reassuring. If it is not clarified, it will be exceedingly difficult for motorists, the sole contributors to the fund, to find something in it for them.
Make no mistake: CAA-Quebec approves of the government’s desire to further develop public transit services in order to ease traffic on the principal arteries of the road network, and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. But the reality of Quebec must also be considered: it is a vast territory with uneven population concentrations, which makes the supply of public transit service and its profitability difficult. Consequently, imposing extra taxes that target motorists’ wallets is tantamount to punishing this consumer group.
CAA-Quebec believes that, rather than force motorists to dig even deeper into their pockets, the government should have considered valid, flexible and long-term alternatives to encourage consumers to give up their reliance on automobiles, to the extent that this is possible. This, unfortunately, has not been done in recent years.
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| Photo: Jupiter Images |
Where are the incentives?
It is also regrettable that the government is raising the fuel tax without at the same time offering any true incentives for Quebecers to “drive greener.” Currently, the government offers tax credits only for the purchase of hybrid vehicles or vehicles that consume very little fuel. CAA-Quebec cannot at present view this program as a true incentive for motorists, because it offers only slightly attractive savings on purchases of vehicles that are relatively expensive, and sometimes aren’t even available in the Quebec market.
Why a “catch-all” fund?
Lastly, the true nature of the FORT is far from clear: in creating the fund, the government also announced that it will encompass three other funds that up to now were separate entities: the Fonds de contribution des automobilistes au transport en commun (Motorists’ Contribution to Public Transit Fund, $30 collected on each vehicle registration renewal), the very recent Fonds des partenariats en matière d’infrastructures de transport (Transport Infrastructure Partnership Fund, not yet active), and finally the Fonds pour la vente de biens et services du ministère des Transports du Québec (Ministry of Transport Fund for the Sale of Goods and Services). Because of this complex structure, the general purpose of the FORT is neither transparent nor reassuring. If it is not clarified, it will be exceedingly difficult for motorists, the sole contributors to the fund, to find something in it for them.