SASKATOON—The Saskatchewan NDP says it wants to follow Manitoba in suspending the provincial gas tax.
Matt Love, the provincial NDP candidate for Saskatoon Eastview, promises this would be one of the first measures a Carla Beck-led administration would take if given the chance to form a government after the Oct. 28 election.
Love said suspending the gas tax would help Saskatchewan residents manage the high costs of essential goods and services, especially fuel, particularly for those travelling during the holiday season. He also criticized the Saskatchewan Party for failing to improve the province's economic situation.
"Saskatchewan is a big place. We need to move from town to town to do the things we love and see the people we love. We're no strangers to travelling hundreds of miles to get what we need for our province to move forward. But folks, after 17 years of failed Saskatchewan Party leadership, everything is more expensive – from utilities to heating our homes to filling up the tank," said Love at a media briefing on Oct. 4, outside a gas station in University Heights.
"All these increased pressures are strangling our economy, making it harder to do what we need to do to improve our lives and our province. It's getting harder to save a little money for that trip home at Christmas, to put a few dollars away for a family road trip in the summer."
Despite factors affecting petroleum prices, such as supply and demand, geopolitics, and the global recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, Love said the gas tax can be controlled, as seen in Manitoba.
"It's based on the amount of provincial tax when you fill up the tank. As for those fluctuations in gas prices, that's not something we have control over as a provincial government. But we do have control over the provincial fuel tax, which is, I believe, 18 cents per litre. We can pause that today, and we will – on day one of a Carla Beck NDP government, we'll pause that fuel tax for six months to save people money every time they fill up," said Love.
"We need a government that takes action, and that's exactly what a Carla Beck NDP government will do. On day one, we will pause the fuel tax, saving you money and keeping more in your pocket. We know this works because it's worked in Manitoba and other provinces. Pausing the fuel tax has saved people in Manitoba money by reducing fuel costs. In November, you will save almost $10 every time you fill up your tank."
The $10 savings is based on an average vehicle with a 55-litre tank; smaller cars would save a little over $8, while larger vehicles, such as trucks, would see savings of more than $10, he noted.
Love added that after the six-month pause, the Saskatchewan NDP would reassess the policy, similar to Manitoba.
"In Manitoba, after the initial six months, they decided it was still needed and extended it. That’s something we’ll consider. Right now, it’s a six-month commitment, but we’ll evaluate the program. We'll continue to listen to the people of Saskatchewan and respond to their needs," said Love.
He accused the Saskatchewan Party of failing to help Saskatchewan families save money, pointing to what he called a track record of broken promises.
"They’ve made life more expensive for Saskatchewan families and businesses during their time in government. We can look at utility increases, PST increases, and the expansion of the PST to everything under the sun. A Carla Beck NDP government is listening to the people of this province. We're going to make life more affordable," Love concluded.
