REGINA, Sask. — Regina drivers feel the continued suspension of the federal fuel excise tax won’t be a solution to high fuel prices.
On Wednesday, the federal government announced the suspension of the tax will continue until next January, saving drivers 10 cents a litre at the pumps.
“A little bit of savings is good, but the prices are kind of outrageous right now, even with the 10-cent savings. We don't really notice it at the pump,” said Greg Duxbury, who was filling up his car in Regina on Thursday.
The suspension of the tax had originally been scheduled to stop after Sept. 7, but the feds wanted to continue keeping money in the pockets of Canadians.
But those savings have not been felt by Regina drivers.
“This year, I’m probably paying an extra 40 per cent. This car I’m filling up with gas right now is fine, but my normal vehicle is a diesel, and the price of diesel is through the roof,” said Duxbury.
Since he drives around a lot for work, Duxbury puts 50,000 kilometres a year on his vehicle.
He expects this means he will pay an extra $3,000 to $4,000 on gas alone this year.
But not all drivers are driving around as they used to.
“I probably drive 50 per cent less than what I used to,” said Drew Gibson.
Gibson, now retired, said he’s been limited in his travel experiences.
“I'd like to do some holidays and take off and see Canada, but I can't afford it.”
Instead of removing taxes temporarily, Gibson feels the country should take more advantage of its natural resources.
“We need oil refineries. I mean we need to tap our resources. As we got it all here, might as well use it, right?”
Gibson said this is now more necessary with the current tariff dispute between the U.S. and Canada.
Meanwhile, Duxbury wants the feds to investigate oil companies for “overcharging.”
“I would like to see the government or regulators look into that and ask, ‘If something is easier to produce, why are you charging so much more for it?’ And if there’s a shortage, there’s plenty of oil in the ground to process.”
The full suspension of the excise tax will end after Jan. 31.
From Feb. 1 to March 31, 2027, the fuel excise tax will be reinstated at half its regular rate before returning to the full rate on April 1.
