The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is calling on Prime Minister Mark Carney to cancel his planned fuel tax hike on September 8.
Gage Haubrich is the Prairie Director for the Canadian Taxpayers Federation.
He says the bottom line is that gas prices are still sky-high. He says Manitobans need a break at the pumps.
"The federal government shouldn't be adding to the pain of high gas prices by charging taxes on top," said Haubrich. "He initially cut the 10 cent gas tax because of the skyrocketing fuel prices from the conflict in the Middle East. Prices are only slightly lower from that initial cut. They're still way higher than they are normally around this time."
Gasoline prices rose 25.7 percent in July compared to the same time last year.
"It's clear that it shows this problem isn't over. When the prime minister initially cut the tax, they believed they would have a deal worked out in the Middle East so there wouldn't be high gas prices, so maybe it would make sense to put the tax back on," said Haubrich. "We now see how much gas prices have been hiked."
Carney temporarily suspended the federal fuel excise tax on gasoline and diesel on April 20, 2026.
The cut is currently saving drivers about $6 every time they fill up a sedan, about $7 for a minivan, and about $10 for a pick-up truck.
In a recent poll, 71 percent of Canadians oppose the fuel tax increase, which comes into effect on September 8.
"So if you're filling up that pick-up truck once a week, as many drivers have to do, you're saving over $500 a year by not having to pay that federal gas tax," ended Haubrich. "That's a pretty good chunk of savings. Especially when every extra dollar counts right now."
Inflation increased to three percent in July compared to the same time last year.
Higher gasoline prices were one of the largest factors contributing to the overall increase in inflation.
