Beck renews NDP call to suspend gas tax

REGINA – The Saskatchewan NDP has reiterated its call for a six-month gas tax suspension 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 limiting or even cancelling their summer road trips because of the cost of living. But that doesn’t have to be the case,” Beck said. “We are again calling on Premier Scott Moe today to provide relief, which he can do with the stroke of a pen… that’s something nearly half of Canada’s premiers have done, and Scott Moe is the only provincial premier in the Prairies who has not provided fuel tax relief to his citizens.

“Last week, even Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre called for a suspension and relief of the gasoline tax. This measure could make life a little more affordable for Saskatchewan families, and given the support we have seen across the political spectrum, we are calling on Scott Moe to reconsider his decision. This is a matter of fairness and a matter of much-needed relief for the people of Saskatchewan who need it 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 NDP’s latest announcement came on the heels of the last legislative session, which ended last week. During that last session, day after day, the NDP leader began each question period with a call for a suspension of the gasoline tax, and an opposition motion to suspend the gasoline tax was defeated by the Sask Party majority.

The governing Sask Party responded by pointing to $2 billion in affordability measures already included in the provincial budget. The government also asked how the opposition plans to recoup the cost of suspending the gas tax, pointing out that this money will be used to build highways.

Asked by reporters if that was the case, Beck said the government was “simply setting the wrong priorities,” pointing to spending on failed IT projects such as the health care AIMS system, the Regina bypass and others.

“If you’re the premier of the province and the main problem is that people are struggling to pay their bills, and you respond to that with, ‘Well, you don’t know how good you have it,'” you know, and refuse to offer help, it really speaks to a government that’s out of touch – that, like I said, doesn’t understand that people are struggling, or doesn’t care.”