Hi All, As the Canadian Coastguard has declared it's intent of eventually licensing all boaters, the licensing of commercial kayak fleets appears to be the thin of a wedge. Also, as nearly all novice kayakers rent from outfitters before they purchase their own boats, the costs of kayak rentals in Canada will go up. Personally I'm sick of politicians downloading costs to residents, especially as our tax rates are already high. I'm mad and wrote the following letter to David Anderson who is the Minister responsible for the Coastguard. If anyone wishes to follow my example go ahead. David Anderson's E-mail is Anderson.D_at_parl.gc.ca. _____________________________________________________________________ Dear Mr Anderson, As you are the Minister responsible for the Coast Guard, I tell you I am horrified by the proposed extension of the Marine Service Fee to include small human powered craft rented by outfitters (kayaks). This decision by your Ministry lacks foresight, except in the short term goal of collecting additional revenue. Your government has consistently downloaded costs of national services to residents on a user pay basis and consequently degrades the basic services that National governments should fund from regular taxation. The policy is not even consistent in its application, motorists don't pay the full costs of roads and bridges, various areas of sport and culture receive subsidies, despite their often minority significance, and Canadians suffer while large corporations reap untold benefits. With respect to kayaking, a sport which has grown phenomenally, the application of the Marine Service fee is particularly shortsighted. Kayaking offers thousands of Canadians participation in physical activity, the uncalculated benefits of a healthy population on the costs of Healthcare must be considered. Canadians are the ones who rent kayaks, there are tourism dollars in the mix, but outfitters confirm that they rent predominately to Canadians. Kayak outfitters already assume enormous responsibilities in ensuring the safety and competence of renters. I suggest you compare Coastguard reports of kayaks in trouble to other rented vessels and you will see what a superb job they do. They instruct in kayak safety, navigation and technique, without which the danger to participating Canadians would be significantly increased. (I dread the day when Costco sells kayaks in Canada.) Novice kayakers rent and receive instruction from outfitters before they are ready to purchase their own boat. To discourage this initiative with additional costs, which will inevitably be downloaded to the users, shows an incredible lack of concern for the average Canadian. In addition, specifically on the West Coast, the kayak manufacturing industry will be penalized, because although supportive to outfitters, they gain a showcase for their products. International tourists are impressed by the quality and prices and seek the products in their own markets. To add more cost to the tourists, discourages tourism and the kayaking industry. I understand the Marine Service Fee is designed to pay for the upkeep of Canada's navigational waters, but it is unclear whether Marine Service Fees will be used to improve navigational aids or just swallowed into general revenues. Kayakers have specific navigational requirements which obviously will not be met in the Fee's current structure and application. The proposed extension of this fee to commercial kayak outfitters is ill conceived, especially as the industry was not consulted, not all outfitters (many are very small businesses) are listed by the Coastguard and the collection of this fee is being administered by the Western Marine Community Association whose fiduciary relationship to the Government is quite unclear. (Is it a private collection agency?) I would therefore suggest that your department reconsiders this tax. It is an unfair burden on all Canadians who seek recreation on our tidal waters. Yours truly, Chris Banner. #117 - 310 Robert St. Victoria. B.C. V9A 3Z4 Tel: 250 - 382-6617 E-mail: cbanner_at_pacificcoast.net *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
Hank Hays wrote: > > Michael Daly wrote: > >As a further incentive for Americans and others to visit Canada and > >take advantage of our miniscule dollar and great waterways, let > >me point out that most, if not all, provinces allow for the refund of > >sales taxes when you return to your home country (or province). > >They don't tell you this loudly, but you can get a form that allows > >you to send in for a rebate. > > Our experience (as Americans) with the above mentioned refund is that it > has never amounted to enough to do us enough good to bother filling out the > form and submitting it. We often spend a few thousand dollars, but many > services are excluded, which is what we mostly spend money on on such trips > to Canada. Any others have the same experience? Pretty much so, although I could have bought a few six packs with my GST refund last summer. Frankly, I do not understand the philosophy behind the GST refund. When I travel in BC, I feel like I ought to pull my own weight up there, and so I never ask for the GST refund. OTOH, if I bought a yak in Canada, I might. -- Dave Kruger Astoria, OR *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
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