With less than three weeks until a federal fuel tax break is set to run dry, a taxpayer advocacy group is bringing its push for an extension to the pumps in Windsor. The Canadian Taxpayers Federation held a news conference Wednesday morning near Campbell and College avenues, calling on Prime Minister Mark Carney to scrap the planned Sept. 8 return of the federal fuel excise tax. The tax has been temporarily suspended since April 20, dropping the federal rate to zero from 10 cents per litre on gasoline and four cents per litre on diesel. Ottawa announced the temporary measure as fuel prices climbed amid global oil disruptions related to conflict in the Middle East. The federal government estimated the suspension would provide more than $2.4 billion in tax relief in 2026. Under the current plan, the pump pause ends after Labour Day. Poll finds broad opposition The federation is pointing to new Leger polling that found 63 per cent of Canadians oppose ending the suspension, including 43 per cent who strongly oppose it. Another 26 per cent support the tax returning, while 11 per cent said they did not know. Opposition was similar in Ontario, where 62 per cent of respondents were against ending the suspension, compared with 26 per cent who supported it. The online survey of 1,516 Canadian adults was conducted between July 24 and 27. “Canadians in every demographic oppose Carney’s plan to crank federal gas taxes back up,” said Franco Terrazzano, CTF Federal Director. “Canadians can’t afford to pay more at the gas pumps while paying higher prices for everything that is trucked to store shelves, so Carney should do the right thing and cancel the fuel tax hike.” Among respondents who expressed an opinion, 71 per cent opposed ending the suspension nationally. Pressure building before Sept. 8 Ontario Premier Doug Ford has also urged Carney to extend the suspension until at least Jan. 1, 2027 and suggested Ottawa consider making the relief permanent. The federation estimates the return of the gasoline tax would cost a family filling a minivan once a week about $390 annually. “Cutting taxes makes life more affordable and the federal government needs to cut spending so it can provide permanent relief without ballooning the debt,” said Noah Jarvis, CTF Ontario Director. “Carney needs to listen to Canadians and Ford and cancel his September gas tax hike.” Unless Ottawa changes course, the federal excise tax returns to the pump Sept. 8.
