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Fuel Tax Suspension
Carney announced a temporary suspension of the federal fuel excise tax starting April 20 until Labour Day.
“We’re also removing the fuel excise tax on aviation fuels. This will remove up to $0.10 per liter on gasoline and $0.04 per liter on diesel fuel”
The suspension will remove up to 10 Canadian cents per liter on gasoline and four cents per liter on diesel.
Carney framed the suspension as a responsible, temporary measure to offer real relief to Canadian families.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre criticized the move as not good enough.
The average gas price in Canada was sitting at $1.73 per litre, down from $1.81 on Thursday.
Economic and Political Context
The fuel tax suspension marks Carney's first move with a Liberal parliamentary majority.
Fuel prices have shot up about 27 percent since the Iran war began.
Carney justified the cut as a balance between providing relief and managing federal finances.
The opposition Conservatives had pushed for a more extensive cut.
Carney also announced the government would invest in infrastructure to boost oil and gas production.
Reactions and Analysis
The announcement drew mixed reactions.
“It still doesn’t really tackle the issue that has driven up the price of oil”
Poilievre accused the Liberals of going half way and for only half the time.
Patrick De Haan said the cut still doesn’t really tackle the issue that has driven up the price of oil.
Clean Energy Canada framed the cut as temporary and minor relief.
The move stops short of addressing provincial taxes.