Saskatchewan is pressing on with its halt on carbon tax for home heat, but Premier Scott Moe remains mum on halting the tax on fuel at the pump.
In Regina on Thursday, the provincial government tabled its legislation to indemnify officials at SaskEnergy from any federal penalties they may face as the government moves to stop sending the carbon tax on home heating fuel to Ottawa.
Once passed, the move will take effect on Jan. 1, 2024, and the province says it will save Saskatchewan families about $400 next year.
Meanwhile, the Saskatchewan NDP is chiming in with the Canadian Taxpayers Federation that Saskatchewan also tune off the fuel tax at the pump.
The Taxpayers Federation says Saskatchewan families traveling to Calgary, for example, see the price at the pump and realize they are on the hook for an extra 46 cents. This is comprised of:
- 15 cents – provincial gas tax
- 14 cents – federal carbon tax
- Seven cents – federal sales tax
- 10 cents – federal excise tax
The Sask NDP says a six-month pause on the provincial tax could bring $350 savings for the average driver. They tabled the motion on Tuesday but have had no movement from the government side on the proposal.
As of Thursday afternoon, according to GasBuddy, the price for regular gas in Lloydminster is $134.9 compared to a range of 119.1 to 135.9 in Calgary, a spread of 137.9 to 142.9 in Saskatoon, and in Regina, regular gas ranges from 136.9 to 147.9.