Stricter Fuel Restrictions Necessary for General Motors

     SUV’s and Vans have become a popular hallmark in the traditional lifestyles of many North American’s. But data from the last half decade on Fuel Consumption Ratings, especially in 2009 and 2013 indicate that this is one trend which is going to leave us all short on fossil fuels in the not so far off future.
You can search here to track more information about your vehicle’s exhaust (search must be in all caps)

     Back in 2009, the vehicles ranked worst for fuel consumption were the Lamborghini Murcielago and its roadster counterpart tied for first place with an annual fuel consumption rate of 4260 Liters of fuel. Following these two vehicle were the Chevrolet Express 3500 and its FFV (‘Flexible’ Fuel Vehicle) counterpart, consuming 4000 liters of fuel annually. Following these were the GMC Savana and its FFV counterpart also at 4000.


     Although at the time and not the worst fuel consuming vehicles on the road, GMC and Chevrolet alone took seven of the ten top spots for worst fuel consumption back in 2009.


     It’s been four years now; not only has that number risen to eight out of ten and GMC and Chevrolet are tied for first second and third for the worst vehicles fuel consumption but these two brands are owned by the same vehicle manufacturer: General Motors.

Somehow in four years the Chevrolet Express 3500 vehicle line has gone virtually undetected as it rose to having the worst fuel economy from 4260 Liters of fuel to 4660 in a matter of four short years. To put that in perspective, the 2013 Toyota Midsize Prius consumes only 820 Liters per year. This vehicle is literally consuming over five times that, the fuel value of a small street worth of your average vehicle. General Motors is single handedly killing our fossil fuel resources. 

Back in 2012, ranked by fuel consumption for the companies that produced vehicles that produced the worst fuel consumption were Chevrolet which took four spots including number one and GMC taking four more. Meaning that these two companies alone have produced eight of the top ten worst cars for fuel consumption. The list from 2013 was almost identical, with both companies taking the exact same spots. This has not changed in four years.

It was just four days ago when @GM tweeted about their commitment to environmental conservation, The fuel efficiency of new GM vehicles was even mentioned.

GM employees at the Romulus Powertrain plant are committed to environmental conservation on & off the assembly line: http://t.co/MEzifOExSE
— General Motors (@GM) April 16, 2014

For those that could really use a bit of a history lesson on why the depletion of our fossil fuels are relevant and important to not only us but future generations, feel free to view this clever and informative summary of fossil fuels.

Could your province impact your weekly salary?

Actually, it could. A 2013 business census targeting employment, payrolls, and hours revealed that workers in some provinces are making up to $300 more per week than others. While Alberta is easily the most well-off in terms of weekly salary, others are watching their average plateau, and New Brunswick's average is on the decline.



The clear outlier here is New Brunswick's report from last year. While monthly averages have sometimes gone down, New Brunswick's 2013 average is the only time in the last ten years when it has declined. The other less obvious anomaly concerns the 2008-2009 difference, in which provinces like Quebec, British Columbia, and Ontario experienced barely any increase, while Newfoundland and Nova Scotia experienced a greater or equal increase than most years.

Again, however, the real story here is New Brunswick's economy. Only days ago, what should have been a $2/hour wage increase for support workers came in at only $0.25/hour.

NB home support workers 'devastated' by 25 cent wage hike http://t.co/X4QcZVQjMR
— CBC New Brunswick (@CBCNB) March 25, 2014

Another major issue? New Brunswick is about to get a tax hike that will further curb what people make in a regular week. The change comes into effect on July 1st.

NB workers face slow wage growth http://t.co/ZSGFzh6tMb & big tax increases http://t.co/ic8c9CEzJ9 starting July 1st via @CBCNB #nbpoli
— Kevin Lacey (@kevinlaceyCTF) June 28, 2013

The data in the census report illustrates the divide between the economy in East and West Canada. While Alberta was ranked 1st in 2013, Saskatchewan was 3rd and British Columbia 6th; in contrast, Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and P.E.I. were 7th through 10th respectedly.

Speaking of P.E.I., the NDP has adopted a wage increase into their platform; maybe that will be enough to push it about another province? In the last ten years, the average weekly salary in P.E.I. has never been greater than 10th.

Weekly Wage by Month: Canadian Provinces

If the NDP manages a wage increase in P.E.I. and New Brunswick continues to decline, could they swap places on the list? In 2012, they differed by over $65/week; now, that number is less than $17/hour. Also, New Brunswick isn't taking nearly the same initiative in rasing wages. P.E.I. on the other hand?

Post by NDP PEI.

Regardless, even if P.E.I. does increase wages, they - and the rest of the East, Newfoundland aside - are still nowhere near western provinces like Alberta and Saskatchewan.