Quick links
purple gas
DCHP-2 (Jun 2013)
n. — Agriculture, Western Canada, especially Saskatchewan
low-tax gasoline for farm use that is dyed purple for easy identification.
Type: 1. Origin — Several provincial governments implemented low-tax gasoline programs to support farmers beginning in the 1940s. The gasoline was meant to be used exclusively in tractors and other farm machinery; it was dyed purple to allow for easy identification of misuse, i.e. the power train and motor block of any vehicle using the gas remain purple indefinitely. In recent years, provincial legislators have switched from providing coloured gas to offering tax rebates based on an estimated amount of fuel use (see, e.g., the 2016 quotation).
Similar programs exist internationally, although the use of purple dye is less common than other colours, such as red, which is used in the US for low-tax fuels. Purple gas is most prevalent in Canada (see Chart 1). The term has a higher frequency in the Prairies (see Chart 2), where the agricultural sector is most important.
See also COD-2, s.v. "purple gas", which is marked "Cdn (Prairies)".
Similar programs exist internationally, although the use of purple dye is less common than other colours, such as red, which is used in the US for low-tax fuels. Purple gas is most prevalent in Canada (see Chart 1). The term has a higher frequency in the Prairies (see Chart 2), where the agricultural sector is most important.
See also COD-2, s.v. "purple gas", which is marked "Cdn (Prairies)".
Quotations
1941
Purple Gas Users Have Cars Impounded Two cases of farmers using purple tractor gas in their automobiles were tried before Police Magistrate Pidgeon recently when the offenders were found guilty.
1950
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police is cracking down on motorists who use purple-colored gasoline in their cars. The purple gas, exempt from Saskatchewan's 10-cents-a-gallon tax, is for farm use only.
1960
Since all the opposition parties favor legalized use of tax-free purple gas -- gasoline that is dyed purple to help apprehend those who use it in other than farm engines -- one question arises. If the CCF is re-elected on a minority vote, will it construe this as evidence that the majority want purple gas legalized and act accordingly?
1979
Also introduced was a bill that aims to modernize the law concerning sales of tax-exempt purple gas and includes a more detailed description of who is permitted to use this product.
1982
Removing the road tax would cost the province only $139-million a year because so much tax-free purple gas is sold for farm equipment in this province.
1998
The farm fuel tax rebate program was established in 1992. Instead of buying special tax-free purple gas, farmers now pay the tax up-front on gas used on the farm, and are allowed an annual rebate to a maximum of $900 per year.
2006
I have no idea why farmers are whining so much. They already pay lower prices for fuel by buying "purple gas."
Isn't that enough of an advantage?
2013
Ranchers work hard for British Columbia and we will support them through measures that help make them more competitive internationally. Budget 2013 includes plans for a carbon tax exemption on coloured fuel to be brought in during the fall; this exemption will cover the coloured fuel, or purple gas, used by farmers in on-farm equipment and eligible farm vehicles. This is the result of our government working with producers, listening to their suggestions, and acting on them.
2016
Budget 2016 also includes more details about the Alberta government’s new carbon levy — part of the province’s Climate Leadership Plan.
While the levy includes an exemption for marked diesel and gas, commonly known as purple gas, there is no agriculture exemption from the levy’s tax on natural gas and propane.
While the levy includes an exemption for marked diesel and gas, commonly known as purple gas, there is no agriculture exemption from the levy’s tax on natural gas and propane.
References
- COD-2
Images
Chart 1: Internet Domain Search, 4 Oct. 2012
