Thursday, August 25, 2005

EDMONTON - Despite increasing gas prices, Prime Minister Paul Martin said that the government will not reduce Ottawa's take at the pumps.

Martin said that municipalities are already counting on money that is being collected through federal gas taxes.

Martin is quoted in Macleans, "we made a commitment to municipalities across the country. Canadians have embraced fully the fact that we now share that gas tax with municipalities. It is becoming an important ongoing means by which our cities large and small are able to finance either ongoing needs and that is where the focus of that tax goes."

The Prime Minister made the remarks in Edmonton following a meeting with the Canada West Foundation, a think tank focused on bringing a western perspective to public policy.