Beck renews NDP call for suspension of gasoline tax

REGINA – The Saskatchewan NDP has reiterated its call for a six-month suspension of the gasoline tax ahead of the summer road trip season.

At a media event in Regina and in a party press release issued that same afternoon, Opposition Leader Carla Beck called for Premier Scott Moe to suspend the 15 cent per litre tax on gasoline and diesel, citing similar moves by other provinces such as Manitoba, which suspended the gasoline tax, as well as similar calls at the federal level by Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre last week.

“Many people are considering shortening or even canceling their summer road trip due to the cost of living. But it doesn’t have to be that way,” said Beck. “Today we again call on Prime Minister Scott Moe to provide some relief, something he can do with the stroke of a pen… We’ve seen that with almost half of Canada’s premiers, and Scott Moe is the only provincial premier on the Prairies who has not granted fuel tax relief to its citizens.

“Last week we even saw Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre calling for a suspension and some relief from the gasoline tax. This is a measure that could make life a little more affordable for Saskatchewan families, and given the support we’ve seen across the political spectrum, we urge Scott Moe to reconsider. This is a question of fairness and a question of providing much-needed assistance to the people of Saskatchewan who need it right now.”

She also promised that if she is allowed to form government in the fall, they will “suspend the gas tax… it’s time for a change.” Beck confirmed to reporters that the suspension would be for six months.

The latest NDP announcement follows the most recent legislative session, which ended last week. During this most recent session, the NDP leader opened each question period day after day with a call to suspend the gas tax, and an opposition motion to suspend the gas tax was defeated by the majority of the Sask Party.

The governing Sask Party responded by pointing to $2 billion in affordability measures already included in the provincial budget. The government also questioned how the opposition would recoup the cost of suspending the gas tax, pointing out that this money would be used to finance highway construction.

Answering questions from reporters, Beck said the government “simply has the wrong priorities,” pointing to spending such as failed IT projects like the AIMS system in health care, the Regina bypass and other expenditures.

“If you’re the premier of the province and the main problem is that people are having trouble paying their bills, and your response is, ‘Well, you don’t know how well you have it,'” You know, and you refuse to offer help, it really speaks to a government that is out of touch – that, as I said, doesn’t understand that people have problems or doesn’t care.”