Huron Expositor, 2014-02-19, Page 3Feds hiking tobacco tax
Bryn Weese
WI Agency
Hoard 'em if you got 'em.
Starting Feb. 12, the federal govern-
ment hiked the excise duty - essentially,
an additional federal tax -- on tobacco
products by nearly 24 per cent.
That's $4 more for a carton of smokes.
It's expected the increase will add $96
million in additional revenue for the feds
this year, and more than $600 million
annually after that
The Canadian Cancer Society
applauded the move, saying it will reduce
smoking, especially amongst youth, and
ultimately save lives.
All tobacco products are included in
the rate hike.
And whereas tobacco products at duty-
free shops had been charged a slightly
lower excise duty than elsewhere in Can-
ada (for example, $15 instead of $17 per
carton of cigarettes), the rate will now be
the same -- $21.03 per carton -- every-
where. (Products at duty-free shops will
still be exempt from GST or HST.)
According to the government, the
increase is adjusting for inflation going
back to 2002, the last time the duty was
increased.
What's more, large retailers and whole-
salers with more than 30,000 cigarettes -
or 150 cartons -- in inventory had to send
the feds two cents for every cigarette they
have in stock to account for the higher
IUp in smoke:
How tobacco excise
duty is going up
Cigarettes and tobacco sticks
--Across Canada -- from
$17 to $21.03 per 200 ciga-
rettes and tobacco sticks
-- Duty-free shops -- from
$15 to $21.03 per 200 ciga-
rettes and tobacco sticks
Chewing tobacco and fine cut
tobacco for roll -your -own cigarettes
-- Across Canada -- from $21.25
to $26.29 per 200 grams
-- Duty-free shops -- from $18.74
to $26.29 per 200 grams
Cigars
-- Across Canada -- from $18.50
to $22.89 per 1,000 cigars
-- Duty-free shops -- N/A
duty rate.
Going forward, the excise duty will be
indexed to the Consumer Price Index and
adjusted automatically every five years.
The feds are also spending $91.7 mil-
lion over five years to buy sensor devices
-- radar, sonar and long-range thermal
video cameras - to keep watch at smoke -
smuggling hot spots along the border.
Harmony Kings to host
competition in Seaforth
Whitney South
Huron Expositor
The Seaforth Harmony Kings are all
tuned up and ready to host the Western
Division Novice Competition on Feb.22.
The event will take place at Seaforth
Public School, and will feature several
choruses and quartets from London,
Sarnia and Strathroy.
According to Paul Dockstader, execu-
tive member of the Harmony Kings, the
competition is more of a chance for the
choruses to come out and have some
fun, rather than be judged.
It's basically a reason for everyone to
come out and have a good time," he said.
"It gives them an opportunity to sing in
front of an audience and give an oppor-
tunity to some of the newer people to
perform. We want to encourage every-
one to give it a try:'
Since Seaforth won last year, they are
ineligible for competition this time, but
will still perform, as well as present the
new champions with the Chorus
Trophy.
"It's going to be a great afternoon of
entertainment," said Dockstader. "We
want to encourage everyone in Huron
County to come out and enjoy the
music."
Each group member can compete in
several categories, including full chorus,
as well as large and small quartets.
Admission is free of charge, and doors
will open at 11:30 a.m., with the compe-
tition set to begin at 1:00 p.m.
The contest will be followed by award
presentations and performances from
the Harmony Kings, as well as and the
guest judges.
WEST COAST
KITCHENS
Linda Reaume
Designer
And Much More
• Kitchens • CustomVanities
• Entertainment Units • Home Offices
PROFESSIONAL INSTALLATIONS
CUSTOM DESIGNS
& COUNTERTOPS
Visit Our Showroom
50 West St. Goderich
519-440-0352
www.westcoastkitchens.net
Email: westcoastkit@hurontel.on.ca
Wednesday, February 19, 2014 • Huron Expositor 3
New Year's Baby
Photo Submitted
Steve and Christie Carnochan, along with big brother Cole, welcomed baby Reid to the family Jan. 18 at
10:29 p.m., weighing in at 6 lb. 5 oz. Born at the Children's Hospital at London Health Sciences Centre,
little Reid is our New Year's baby for the Huron East area.
Impaired driver causes collision
A 26 -year-old female driver
from South Huron is facing three
criminal charges following an
accident on Feb. 9, at the intersec-
tion of John Street and Louisa
Street in Seaforth.
Huron County OPP officers
responded just before 1:30 p.m., to
a two vehicle collision involving a
Kia Sedona minivan travelling
northbound on John Street who
pulled out in front of a Pontiac
Montana that had the right of way
on Louisa Street.
Both vehicles sustained
significant damage, however no
one was injured.
As police were speaking with
the driver of the Sedona, they
detected the odour of marijuana.
Further investigation revealed the
driver was displaying several signs
that she was impaired.
As a result, the driver of the Kia
Sedona was arrested and a search
incident to arrest revealed the
driver to be in possession of
marijuana.
Additionally, upon completing
checks on the driver it
was determined she was serving a
probation sentence and was fail-
ing to abide by the condition of
Keep the Peace and Be of Good
Behaviour.
As a result, she has been
charged with Impaired Driving,
Possession of a Controlled Sub-
stance, Fail to Complywith Proba-
tion Order and Fail to Yield to Traf-
fic on a Through Highway.
She has since been released
from custody and is scheduled to
appear at the Ontario Court ofJus-
rice Goderich on March 3.
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