Compare the miles of highway per capita between the countries. BTW the original interstates was buying votes asphalt (actually concrete). Buying votes with asphalt was also done by provincial governments during the 60s and 70s. In the case of Alberta, that scheme is paying dividends today. The highways in northern BC still haven't payed for themselves. Our highways are more expensive to maintain, for the most part, as nearly all are subject to freeze and thaw whereas only the highways in the north of the USA approach the same maintenace costs.Big Trapper said:Actually Rick, I have to respectfully disagree with you on this one. In the good ole US of A, that is exactly the case - the government is required by law to spend the gas tax on highways maintenance and capital spending relating to highways. Did you ever wonder why the mofo's have such NICE roads? Ever wonder why there is not a single highway in Canada (outside of Toronto, Montreal and Quebec City) that is built to anything resembling US Interstate standards?
There is also the cost of EMS which are completely borne by the local governments. We pay for that out of our property taxes. There is a propsal my the municipalties to require EMS for accidents on highways to be payed for by the insurance companies(driver). This should also include all medical costs as well, similar to WCB, therefore taking some pressure off of Medicare.





