No swift start for proposed gas tax
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Updated: November 26, 2009 2:31 PM
Drivers will not have to pay an additional gas tax at local pumps at the start of 2010, but could face that prospect later in the year.
Discussions continue between the City of Abbotsford and the province over the possibility of introducing a gas tax here of up to two cents a litre in 2010.
That money would be used for road projects in Abbotsford, and for upgrading the city's transit system.
In addressing council this week, city manager Frank Pizzuto said the city has been involved in discussions with Victoria for nine months over the possibility of introducing a local gas levy.
But even with approval from the province, Pizzuto, who wants public consultation on the issue to start in December this year, said there would be no prospect of a gas tax before April.
A more likely timeframe would be later next summer, he said, while Coun. Lynne Harris expected the city may have to wait beyond that for an implementation date.
The gas tax was initially pitched by Mayor George Peary in March. At that time, he estimated that a two-cent gas tax would raise an additional $5 million to $6 million a year.
This week, Peary said that even if Abbotsford introduces the tax, local motorists should still be paying less than their Metro Vancouver counterparts.
Metro drivers currently pay a six cents per litre tax which funds TransLink – the region's transportation authority. Peary expects that six cents rate to increase by three cents in 2010.
