In terms of the relationship between the mill rate and tax increases, in most regions in this country, municipalities adjust the mill rate so that their revenues remain stable.

Tell me what your answer would be to municipal politicians who say that the federal government is lowering our taxes and our tax rates, the provincial governments are lowering our taxes and our tax rates, but we are being required to do things that oblige us to raise our mill rate because that is our only source of income.

4. Notwithstanding paragraph 2, Member States which introduce a system of road user charges for motor vehicles or articulated vehicle combinations intended exclusively for the carriage of goods by road may apply a reduced rate on gas oil used by such vehicles, that goes below the national level of taxation in force on 1 January 2003, as long as the overall tax burden remains broadly equivalent, provided that the Community minimum levels are observed and that the national level of taxation in force on 1 January 2003 for gas oil used as propellant is at least twice as high as the minimum level of taxation applicable on 1 January 2004.

for reduced excise duty rates on diesel fuel and heating gas oil, provided that the rates are in accordance with the obligations laid down in this Directive, and in particular the minimum levels of taxation provided for in Articles 7 to 9.

It is easy to understand, as an air mile costs much more than a road mile.

Our highway stock declined from 12% to 7%, in relation to the size of our economy, between 1961 and 1993, and the rate of highway investment relative to gross domestic product has dropped by 2.5% since 1961.