Canadian consumers feel "ripped off" by higher prices in Canada than in the U.S., says a report by a Senate committee studying price gaps between the two countries, recommending Ottawa review Canadian tariffs and other matters with an eye to reducing the price discrepancies.
Here are some highlights from the Senate's report.
Shopping Basket
Price paid by Canadian and U.S. retailers for 12 identical products.
Item Description | Price paid | Price paid | Difference |
Shampoo – 1.5L | $9.33 | $12.46 | 34% |
Conditioner – 1.18L | $6.23 | $10.00 | 61% |
Automobile Tires | $128.21 | $169.69 | 32% |
46in LED TV | $888.75 | $1,001.00 | 13% |
Printer | $116.65 | $171.99 | 47% |
Coffee Maker | $127.76 | $167.19 | 31% |
Ibuprofen 200mg – 250ct | $10.76 | $18.29 | 70% |
Aspirin 81mg low dose – 350ct | $10.16 | $21.78 | 114% |
Ketchup – 2.5 L | $3.92 | $6.90 | 76% |
Freezer bags– 150 pk | $6.10 | $9.24 | 51% |
Laundry Detergent – 5L | $11.27 | $13.94 | 24% |
Orange Juice – 7.56L | $10.01 | $12.66 | 26% |
Tariffs By Sector
Canadian and U.S. simple most-favoured-nation average tariff rates.
Sector | Tariff | Tariff |
Leather, Textiles, Apparel and Footwear | 4.9% | 6.8% |
Minerals, Metals and Products thereof | 0.8% | 1.8% |
Miscellaneous Manufactured Goods | 4.0% | 3.3% |
Forestry and Products thereof | 1.0% | 1.2% |
Vehicles, Aircraft & Other Transport Equipment | 6.7% | 1.9% |
Machinery and Equipment | 0.8% | 1.5% |
Chemicals, Plastics, Rubber | 2.3% | 2.3% |
Hockey Tariffs
Tariff rates in Canada and in the U.S. for hockey-related products.
Products | Tariff | Tariff |
Ice Hockey Pants | 18.0% | 2.9% |
UP/Pant | 15.5% | 0.0% |
Gloves | 16.5% | 0.0% |
Hockey Helmet TH | 5.0% | 0.0% |
Hockey Helmet CN | 8.5% | 0.0% |
Helmet Facial Protection TH | 5.0% | 0.0% |
Helmet Facial Protection CN | 7.5% | 0.0% |
Autos
Vehicle price comparisons, Canada and United States, June 2012.
(All vehicles made in Canada)
Vehicle | List Price ($ CDN) | List Price ($ US) | Difference |
Acura MDX | $52,690 | $43,030 | $9,660 |
Chrysler Town & Country | $31,645 | $29,995 | $1,650 |
Dodge Grand Caravan | $19,995 | $20,995 | -$1,000 |
Dodge Charger | $29,995 | $24,495 | $5,500 |
Ford Edge | $27,999 | $27,525 | $474 |
Ford Flex | $30,499 | $30,885 | -$386 |
Chevy Equinox | $26,445 | $23,530 | $2,915 |
Honda Civic sedan | $14,990 | $15,995 | -$1,005 |
Toyota Corolla | $15,540‡ | $16,130‡ | -$590 |
Toyota RAV4 | $24,865n | $22,650n | $2,215 |
Books
Comparisons of Prices, New York Times Bestsellers, April 29, 2012.
Book | U.S. Sales | Canada Sales | Price |
Hardcover Fiction | |||
The Witness | $17.08 | $14.75 | -$2.33 |
Guilty Wives | $18.47 | $18.80 | $0.33 |
| |||
Hardcover Non-Fiction | |||
Drift | $15.30 | $18.77 | $3.47 |
Steve Jobs | $16.85 | $23.19 | $6.34 |
e-Reader | Kindle | Kobo | Price |
Hardcover Fiction | |||
The Witness | $18.76 | $15.99 | -$2.77 |
Guilty Wives | $14.99 | $14.99 | $0 |
| |||
Hardcover Non-Fiction | |||
Drift | $17.27 | $14.99 | -$2.28 |
Steve Jobs | $21.06 | $17.99 | -$3.07 |