Sask. NDP launches petition calling on Scott Moe to suspend gas tax

To help with the cost of living crisis, the Saskatchewan NDP is launching a petition calling on Premier Scott Moe to suspend the provincial gas tax for at least six months.

At a media event Friday, NDP Leader Carla Beck said Moe is the only prairie premier to not have implemented a pause in provincial gas tax.

Pauses have been implemented in Alberta, Manitoba, Newfoundland and Labrador and Ontario, though Alberta’s tax came back into effect at a reduced rate this year.

Saskatchewan’s tax adds up to $0.15 per litre on gasoline and diesel.

Beck said the rising cost of living is the most common concern the opposition has been hearing about from people all over the province.

“Here in Saskatchewan, more than any other province, this is an issue,” Beck said.

“Instead of providing relief, something that we’ve been asking for, the people of the province have been asking for – I know our affordability and our finance critic Trent (Wotherspoon) has been putting forth ideas – we saw a government that actually made things more expensive.”

Pointing to rising rates from SaskPower, Beck said Moe could take immediate action to provide some relief by pausing the fuel tax.

“We see Scott Moe and the Sask Party stubbornly refusing to take this measure,” Beck said.

“This plea has fallen on deaf ears to this point, so we’re launching this petition today to take those voices directly to Scott Moe.”

Beck said a potential six-month suspension of the tax is something that would be very welcome for Saskatchewan families. She said the pause would make sense during a time of year when many people idle their cars. She said it would also stretch into seeding season, offering some relief for producers.

“This is about priorities,” Beck said.

“We’ve seen this government waste that much money on the AIMS program, a program in health care that still doesn’t work, and I could provide a list of ways that the government has spent that much money that hasn’t benefited people. This is something they could do today that would benefit households right across this province.”

In an emailed statement, Finance Minister Donna Harpauer responded to the NDP’s claims.

“Saskatchewan’s excise tax on fuel is designed to fund repairs to provincial highways. The Fuel Tax is levied at a flat rate of 15 cents per litre, which has remained unchanged since 1993. As a flat amount per litre, the provincial Fuel Tax does not change with fluctuations in retail gas prices.

Suspending the fuel tax would result in a very uneven distribution of relief, as some residents would receive no benefit while others would receive a significant one. Additionally, suspending provincial fuel tax would mean revenue depletion of an estimated $507.8 million for a fiscal year. That is funding that is invested directly back into services for Saskatchewan people. That is why our government provides $2 billion annually in affordability relief measures, such as having the lowest personal income tax tax, the most affordable housing, and the second lowest cost utility bundle in the country. 

What is not affordable is the continually rising rate of the federal Liberal Carbon Tax. In addition to the Carbon Tax on fuel, the federal government charges GST over and above all other taxes on fuel.  By eliminating the carbon tax on home heating just a few weeks ago, Saskatchewan families will save an average of $400 this year. 

We know there are affordability concerns from residents, and we will work to ensure Saskatchewan continues to be among the most affordable jurisdictions in Canada.”

The petition can be found online.