WesGill.net

Shot down once by the Canadian Supreme Court in 2005, the “iPod” tax has once again come into play. Similar to the levy that is currently charged on blank media such as CD’s and DVD’s, consumers would be taxed on purchases of electronic storage devices.

Consumers could potentially be hit by a new tax on electronic storage devices such as iPods and blank memory cards in 2008. The federal Copyright Board has given its approval for a special levy on iPods and other digital players because they can be used to copy movies and music.

The proposed levy would range in a fashion similar to the following:
- 85 cents for rewritable CDs and MiniDisc
- $2 for 1 GB removable electronic memory cards
- $25 for a digital audio recorder between 1 and 10 GBs
- $75 for digital audio recorder of more than 30 GBs

The problem with a levy such as this is that you are assuming all consumers are performing illegal activities. Even though there may be some truth in their reasoning, it’s not a good enough reason to implement something as drastic as this. This also is essentially punishment before the crime, which may lead consumers to believe that it would no longer be illegal to download music since they have already paid for it.

The levy has a way to go yet before it will be put into effect, but even the thought of it scares me.

External Links:
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20071221/copyright_act_071221/20071221?hub=TopStories
http://www.news.com/No-iPod-tax-for-Canada/2100-1041_3-5809117.html

Photo By:
Oliver Lavery

I recently was in an accident with my 1997 Mazda 626 in which I slid into the rear of a truck. The car was a total loss and has been written off. I cleaned the vehicle out of my personal belongings today and turned in my key. I felt a bit sad when walking away knowing I’d never drive it again. I have had the car since 2005 and have many great memories with it. Some of these including Prairie Drift, the Klunker Rally as well as the first episodes of Overdrive.

I will be receiving approximately $4100 for the vehicle which I will be putting towards a new set of wheels. The Mazda will now be sold at a salvage auction where the buyer will do what they will with it. I have been doing a bit of looking into what I shall be purchasing now and so far I’m leaning to perhaps a late 90’s Jetta, but we’ll see.