The Canadian Taxpayers Federation spent Wednesday talking to drivers about the gas tax and calling on the government to implement a system that would ensure gas tax spending is accountable.
Their campaign is part of their 10th annual Gas Tax Honesty Day, launched every year just before the May long weekend when many drivers prepare to take longer road trips.
Kevin Gaudet, the Ontario director of CTF, says the gas tax is way too high.
About one-third of what we pay at the pump when we fill up our cars goes to the government. Gaudet told CTV Toronto that taxpayers should me more accountable for the gas tax money they collect.
Gaudet spoke to a number of drivers at gas stations and tried to make his point by playing a game with them. He asked them to choose between taking $10 or taking the amount of his gas taxes.
Murray Oakley chose to take the tax amount and he walked away with more than $12 when he filled up his tank for $40.
However, he said filling up is a necessity that can't be avoided.
"There is no choice in the matter," he said. "We've got to have gas so what are we going to do?"
Gaudet said the government has options - including putting the money to better use. Right now the government uses only half of that money on roads, he said.
"That means the government spends 50 per cent on its pet projects when it could be fixing our roads and better filling the potholes," he said.
The Federation is calling for a gas tax accountability act in Ontario the way they do in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, where 100 per cent of revenues are dedicated to roads, bridges and highways.
With a report from CTV Toronto's MairiAnna Bachynsky
