Ottawa can't shift green rebates into gear

More than four months after announcing rebates for those who buy fuel-sipping cars and trucks, the federal government has not paid a cent to buyers of 2006 and 2007 models that qualify, and automakers are voicing complaints as 2008 models flow on to dealers' lots.

The program set up in the March federal budget, offers rebates of up to $2,000 and also slaps a maximum levy of $4,000 on gas guzzlers. But it is angering consumers and growing increasingly messy for the auto companies, associations representing the major automakers operating in Canada say in a letter to Transport Minister Lawrence Cannon, Finance Minister Jim Flaherty and Environment Minister John Baird.

Transport Canada spokesman Robin Browne confirmed yesterday that no money has been paid out to buyers but Browne said, "the government will finalize the program in the coming months and aims to issue cheques in the fall".
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zorbeeze - 7/31/2007 1:04:35 PM

+2 Boost

Well what did you actually expect from the canadian government.

EnnNorak - 8/1/2007 11:09:53 AM

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I live in Canada and I expected a lot more. Gas guzzler taxes are unfair. The only fair form of taxation is a flat tax rate. If the goal is to reduce gasoline demand then gasoline should be taxed and not cars. Its all political bullshit to court the votes of greenies who will only vote for the Green Party or the NDP (socialists)anyway. I see no reason to waste political campaign resourses on the tree-hugging pierced-eye-brow crowd.

Anti_Bangle - 7/31/2007 1:21:54 PM

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The $2000 rebates are offered to buyers of Toyota Prius, Honda Civic hybrid, and Ford Escape Hybrid......

Maybe Canadians are too smart to fall for this hybrid marketing hype.

truckmen - 8/1/2007 5:03:37 AM

+2 Boost

The goverment makes more money on gas guzzlers! Probably too many people took the gov. up on the rebate and the goverment paniced! Where are they going to get there money? That is why you see no electric cars! The gov can't tax electricity the same way! If everyone drove economical Piruses the gov would have to introduce another tax to get us somehow!

EnnNorak - 8/2/2007 9:11:30 PM

+2 Boost

It always comes back to: "Don't tax you, don't tax me, tax that fellow behind the tree".