Ontario’s Eco Fees Confuse Consumers
If you’re an ONtario resident and you’re confused as to why you’re paying for eco-fees, then you’re no alone.
According to a December 23rd, 2003 article in the Ottawa Citizen, people are still getting sticker shock, having believed these fees were discontinued in October.
The problem is that the government actually said they would be discontinueing the expansion of these fees, which means some items are still being subjected to these fees, some under different programs.
For example, tires are still being subjected to eco fees under the Ontario Tire Stewardship program and electronics like televisions are subject to eco fees via a program operated by the Ontario Electronics Stewardship.
What the Government of Ontario refrained from implementing was a second phase of eco fees, on fluorescent tubes and bulbs, aerosols, portable fire extinguishers, mercury-containing devices, and corrosives, such as acidic cleaning products, drain openers, pool and spa chemicals, masonry products and paint remover.
The remaining first phase results in eco fees on :
* Household paints and coatings and their containers
* Solvents, such as thinners for paint, lacquer and contact cement, paint strippers and degreasers, and their containers
* Used oil filters
* Oil containers of 30 litres or less
* Single-use, dry cell batteries
* Automotive antifreeze (engine coolant) and related containers
* Pressured containers, such as propane tanks and cylinders
* Fertilizers and their containers
* Pesticides, including fungicides, herbicides and insecticides, and their containers
Additional information on the eco fees can be found at makethedrop.ca and stewardshipontario.ca.
Liberals Respond To iPod Tax / Bill C-32
It appears that the Liberal Party do not support the so called iPod Tax after all, according to a press release found on their web site.
Like the conservatives they do not see any future for such levies. The Liberals would rather “introduce a new Private Copying Compensation Payment of $35 million to be transferred to Canadian artists each year, through the Canadian Private Copying Collective (CPCC)” according to the press release.
The funds for this compensation, for “uncompensated downloads”, would not come from ISPs or from a levy, the party having recognized that the consumer wants neither.
They also recognized the bill’s digital locks provision restricted the consumer’s ability to make personal copies of material they’ve purchased and would alter this provision to allow copies for personal use.
The other general alterations they propose are the clarification of the definitions of “fair use”, specifically the education use and “mash-up” provisions. They want educational institutions to qualify for the exemption.
Bill C-32 has been referred to a Legislative Committee headed by Gordon Brown, MP for Leeds—Grenville (Ontario).
Please contact your local Member Of Parliament to voice your comments and concerns in regards to the proposed amendments to the Copyright Act.
Thank you.
Suggested Mailing Dates For Canadians
| Have you shipped your gifts yet ? Click here for Canada Posts’ suggested mailing dates. And note that if you’re shipping from a retailer that they have their own processing times as well.
BTW, don’t forget to read my post about Free Shipping Offers For Canadians. |
Limewire Plans Scrapped
Limewire is no more.
The company has confirmed that they will cease their operations on December 31st, scrapping their plans to offer legal music services.
Their agreements with several independent labels and distributors will be dissolved.
Discounted Music Downloads
Canadian Mastercard users can save 25% off purchased of 10 Tracks or more from Choose Your Songs, a site that contains the most popular Universal Music tracks off Puretracks.
I don’t know when it expires but the promo code for this offer is MASTERCARD25OFF.
Black Friday/Cyber Monday in Canada ?
Several Canadian online stores have decided to have Black Friday and/or Cyber Monday sales.
Like their American counterpart Amazon.ca
Computer and electronics retailer Tigerdirect has also decided to follow their American site’s lead and have Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales of their own. And I’m assuming Best Buy’s Canadian operations will offer their version as well shortly.
I guess I’ll be busy looking at sales this weekend. 🙂
Update: Sears Canada has also decided to have a Black Friday Sale: Electronics Extravaganza!. I’m browsing the site as I’m posting this message. And no, their specials are not limited to electronics.