Beck said the provincial government is taking in significant additional revenue from surging oil prices coming as a direct result of the conflict in the Middle East. She said that some of that additional fiscal capacity should be used to cut desperate drivers a break as they face soaring gas prices by lowering — or completely eliminating — the gas tax temporarily until things return to normal.
Prices for gas Tuesday morning were $1.60 per litre in Regina and nearly $1.63 per litre in Saskatoon, according to GasBuddy.
“Saskatchewan people can’t take this on top of the pile of costs Scott Moe has already dumped on them to cover for his fiscal disaster,” said Carla Beck, Saskatchewan NDP Leader. “The Sask. Party is taxing food and children’s clothing — and they’re piling on massive increases for power.
“They’re also hammering drivers with a planned car insurance rate hike and several new fees, too. And they refuse to get rent under control, choosing instead to side with their corporate landlord buddies who buy up properties. Really, with these guys, when will it end?”
Beck said entirely removing the gas tax would save drivers 15 cents per litre for the time being.
“It’s some relief — it would be the first sign in a very long time that Scott Moe gives any indication that he cares about Saskatchewan people, who report the highest financial anxiety in all of Canada,” Beck said.
Four-in-10 Saskatchewan people are presently borrowing money or piling on debt just to buy food.
“Saskatchewan’s oil revenues are surging as result of this conflict and people desperately need a break at the pumps until gas prices return to normal,” said Trent Wotherspoon, Saskatchewan NDP Finance Minister.
“The government’s focus should be making sure life is as affordable as possible for the people they represent, not raking in revenues from a conflict while people pay through the nose at the pumps.”
Groups representing struggling small businesses and agricultural producers have spoken out publicly against Moe’s power rate hikes in recent weeks.
People in Saskatchewan are already bracing themselves for the upcoming budget, while staring down the barrel of hikes on hunting, fishing, driving, insurance deductibles, and power rates.
“Whether it’s a basic life necessity or a favourite pastime — Scott Moe is going to tax it,” said Jordan McPhail, Northern Affairs Shadow Minister. “I’ve got constituents in the North who travel hours every day and the price of gas is going to drive them further into crushing debt.
“They need a break — Scott Moe clearly isn’t listening.”
Moe is also imposing several new fees on drivers and a car insurance rate hike that will drive up costs for 98 per cent of vehicles on Saskatchewan roads.
“Saskatchewan people rely on their vehicles to get to and from work, to pick up their kids, to get to those critical medical appointments and so much more,” said Darcy Warrington, Highways, Infrastructure & SGI Shadow Minister.
“Scott Moe is preying on their need for a vehicle and trying to make a quick buck off them every which way he can imagine. This is wrong and, clearly, it’s time for change.”
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