NDP proposes Provincial Gas Price Relief Program to give working families a break

REGINA - In light of the soaring gas prices caused by the global economic uncertainty surrounding the events of Ukraine, Official Opposition Finance Critic Trent Wotherspoon called on the Government of Saskatchewan to develop a Provincial Gas Price Relief Program to provide relief to Saskatchewan people currently struggling with the rising cost of fuel.

“These are extraordinary circumstances and the current increase at the pump is directly tied to the war in Ukraine and sanctions on the Russian government. These sanctions are crucial to continuing the pressure on Putin’s regime but we must ensure already-stretched Saskatchewan families are protected where possible,” said Wotherspoon. “Temporary measures like these will offer families some relief as we anticipate gas prices to continue to increase as the economic sanctions against Russia take effect.”

Wotherspoon noted that the average price in Saskatchewan is forty-two cents per litre more than this day last year - about $40 more for every fuel-up on a Dodge Ram 1500. Meanwhile, the province budgeted for revenue (WTI-$54.33, provincial budget 2021/2022) based on a barrel of oil priced at half it is today (WTI-$115.83).

“We are anticipating large increases to provincial revenue from our natural resource sectors but those increased revenues have not made it down to working families just trying to make ends meet at the end of the month,” said Wotherspoon. “That needs to change. Saskatchewan families need a break.”

The Official Opposition is calling for the Government of Saskatchewan to explore options to reduce fuel costs, including temporarily bypassing the fuel tax to soften the impact of rising costs at the pump and protect Saskatchewan families from the related and increasing costs of food, clothes, and other basic necessities.

-30-

Latest posts

CARLA BECK'S TEAM REAFFIRMS CALL FOR RENT CONTROL AS REGINA SENIORS FACE SKY-HIGH RENTAL INCREASES

New Data Shows The Annual Change In Average Asking Rent Has Reached 24.6 Per Cent In Saskatchewan, The Highest In Canada
REGINA – Today, Carla Beck's team is standing alongside residents of The Williston, a seniors' living complex in Regina, to renew the call for rent control in Saskatchewan.

SASKATOON DEMANDS TRANSPARENCY ON DATA CENTRES AS GOVERNMENT FAILS TO ANSWER BASIC QUESTIONS

SASKATOON — Saskatchewan people have questions about the growing number of proposed data centres in the province, and Carla Beck‘s team is making sure they have an opportunity to be heard.
Beck’s team hosted a public data centre open house in Saskatoon on Wednesday evening to hear directly from residents about their concerns, including the potential impacts on electricity, water, land use, the environment, jobs and the long-term costs and benefits to Saskatchewan communities.

SCOTT MOE’S PUBLIC SAFETY MINISTER WEGER CAUGHT LYING ON THE RECORD ABOUT SHOCKING WILDFIRE REPORT

Enough Is Enough — Scott Moe Needs To Fire His Incompetent Public Safety Replacement Minister
SASKATOON – Scathing new documents show the Sask. Party government lying to people of the North who lost so much during last year’s devastating wildfire season. The lies are just the latest in a series of failures, cover ups and scandals concerning Scott Moe’s government’s horrific preparation, response and review of the disaster that saw hundreds of homes and businesses burnt to the ground.

LUXURY JET SCANDAL TAKES OFF AS WEEDMARK REFUSES TO PRODUCE RECEIPTS

Second Luxury Jet Video Emerges Showing Scott Moe’s Out-Of-Touch Sask. Party MLA Using Lavish Private Jets To Perform Government Business
REGINA – Carla Beck’s team is demanding that Scott Moe’s MLA for Moosomin-Montmartre reveal how many times he has used luxury private jets while performing government duties.

NDP Caucus Office