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Toronto imposes new tax on cars

TORONTO, Sept. 1 (UPI) -- Vehicle owners in Toronto awoke Labor Day Monday to a new $60 city surtax for their annual license plate renewals.

Self-described socialist Mayor David Miller pushed the controversial measure through the city council last October to take effect Sept. 1, the Toronto Sun reported.

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When car drivers renew their provincially issued licenses before their birthdays, they will have to pay the additional $60 on top of Ontario's $74 fee, while motorcycle and moped owners will pay an extra $30, the report said.

City Councilor Denzil Minnan-Wong told the Sun he was opposed to the Personal Vehicle Tax.

"There's no apparent reason for an almost doubling of the fees that families pay to drive a car in this city," Minnan-Wong said. "They aren't getting any improved service."

Councilor Doug Holyday called the new tax "highway robbery," adding, "This is just a tax grab."

The new tax will generate about $20 million for the balance of 2008 and an estimated $56 million each year after, the newspaper said.

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