meagain
That is partially correct.
taxes are high in Canada for sure we have a harmonized sales tax of 13% on essentially everything we buy. Alcohol, Tobacco, gambling, cannabis products all have "sin" taxes applied to them . These , however are personal lifestyle choices and they all add to increased Health Care costs ....cancer, addiction other diseases so while we bitch about having to pay higher prices for booze ( and other things that are bad for you ) we are under no obligation to consume them and it is a means to get some money back into the coffers to help cover the added HC costs that might be attributed to these lifestyle choices. Personally, would love to see an obesity tax as well ( insurance companies charge higher premiums if you are fat, smoke, drink and generally unhealthy etc)
The other main reason for the price differential with the US, is our Federal and Provincial Governments regulate the minimum price that booze can be sold for ( in addition to additional taxes on booze, cigs, pot etc) . Some will argue this is them acting in a socially responsible fashion, others might disagree with that view.
