The theory behind taxes on gasoline is that those who buy gas are all users of roads; therefore, they should help pay for the construction and upkeep of those roads.
Perhaps with that theory in mind, Victoria councillors are considering levying a tax on alcoholic drinks 鈥� about five cents a serving is something Coun. Ben Isitt says he could support 鈥� to help pay the costs of policing, likely to increase as the province loosens its liquor policies.
But not every person who tipples in Victoria will exhibit behaviour that necessitates calling the cops. It seems a little unfair.
Nevertheless, it鈥檚 not a bad plan. It鈥檚 not absolutely fair, but neither are many fees and taxes we pay. Most of us pay the same Medical Services Plan premium, yet use the health-care system to widely varying degrees. Low-income people don鈥檛 pay any premium. That鈥檚 not entirely fair, but it鈥檚 reasonable. In a viable society, we pool our resources with the full knowledge that some have more to put in the pool than others.
It would be a better plan, however, if the province chipped in the five cents for each drink. It鈥檚 the province that is making booze more widely available, and it鈥檚 the province that profits from it, while Victoria has to ante up for policing the downtown as tipplers turn up the volume.
Perfect fairness is not achievable, but it could come closer if the province shouldered its share of the burden.
