Wednesday, February 20th, 2013When former Premier Ralph Klein faced low oil prices, he rolled up his sleeves and got government spending under control.
MONTREAL, QC: On the heels of groups like the Ontario Medical Association, Coalition Poids, the Alberta Policy Coalition and even the New Brunswick Telegraph-Journal calling for fat and sugar taxes in Canada, the Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) will be in Montreal tomorrow as part of their cross-country media and speaking tour for Jens Klarskov, head of the Danish Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Klarskov is speaking with Canadians this week about his country’s failed fat and sugar tax experiment.
Denmark introduced a fat tax in October 2011. Thirteen months later in November 2012, the fat tax was repealed and further plans to introduce a sugar tax were scrapped. The tax was deemed ineffective as Danes would simply cross the border into neighbouring Germany to purchase food. The tax was also very complicated, burdensome to both businesses that had to re-calibrate their register system for thousands of different products and tax levels, and importers of food products where detailed ingredient information and analysis was needed. Tax authorities also found the tax extremely difficult to enforce.
The Denmark Chamber of Commerce was one of the leading voices opposing the introduction of the Danish “fat tax” and a strong proponent for its repeal.
Mr. Klarskov will be in Montreal all day on Thursday, February 21, 2013
Mr. Klarskov will be available for media interviews to provide his unique insider’s perspective on the Danish “fat tax” experiment, and why Quebec should avoid doing the same. Mr. Klarskov is available to the media within Montreal, as well as over the telephone or with affiliate outlets for media outside of Montreal.
Interested media should contact Scott Hennig, Vice President, Communications for the Canadian Taxpayers Federation to arrange an interview with Mr. Klarskov.
Scott Hennig
Vice President, Communications
Canadian Taxpayers Federation
Mobile: 780-953-4484
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