Opposition parties call on Houston government to cut gas tax, even temporarily
Gas prices continue to fuel record inflation, and while other provinces like Ontario and Newfoundland and Labrador have committed to cutting provincial gas taxes, Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston won't budge on the issue.
Both the Liberal and NDP opposition parties are calling on the Progressive Conservative government to follow the lead of other provinces and temporarily cut the fuel fee.
"I think that we remain the only province in Canada that has done nothing to address the cost of living crisis and the inflationary period that we are in," said N..S. NDP leader Claudia Chender.
Chender was named leader of the provincial NDP on the weekend, and in her speech at the leadership convention, she addressed the issue of affordability and called out the Houston government.
“Life is getting harder for families across the province, from healthcare to housing, and the rising cost of living. Yet, almost a year after being elected, the Houston government is not taking the action needed to help Nova Scotians,” said Chender.
The NDP is in favour of giving all Nova Scotia families who earn less than $70,000 a cheque for $500.00 to immediately help with the rising cost of living.
“Five hundred dollars is a few tanks of gas, a few grocery carts of food, part of a month's rent, or a few power bills. That’s real help that people can count on,” said Chender.
Houston says the province is bringing forward long-term solutions rather than quick fixes or band-aid solutions.
"That's why we are taking the programs around the seniors care grant, around the family benefits, around the child care benefits, all these types of things are longer-term initiatives,” said Houston.
Chender says the list of supports Houston is alluding to is old news.
"Everything that's coming forward from the government, the senior’s grant, child care, the child benefit, that was all in the budget,” said Chender.
Liberal MLA and community services critic Fred Tilley echoed Chender’s comments.
“Those programs have been in place, they were in place during the budget process and so we knew about those, but right now people are struggling,” said Tilley.
As the inflation rate soars to sky-high levels, the liberals say Houston is sidestepping the problem and has committed to any sensible relief programming.
“When we look at the gas tax there's an opportunity right there,” said Tilley.
Houston says the price of gas has been volatile of late and cutting the gas tax would take away from crucial government services.
“Making that change could have long-term ramifications on the ability to provide health care and on the ability to support the education system and on the ability to provide government services,” said Houston.
The province brought in $266.5 million in 2020 from that provincial gas tax and another $223.8 million in 2021.
According to the department of finance, the province estimates they’ll receive $253.2 million this year and another $255.1 million in 2023.
The opposition argues as the price of gas rises so does the revenue from the fuel tax, and calls that money “a windfall,” saying it should go back to Nova Scotians who are struggling.
"We believe that that revenue should be used to help people who are in acute distress,” said Chender.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW From yearning for a change to cost of living, why some Canadians have left or may leave the country
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
NEW Capital gains tax change 'shortsighted' and 'sows division' business groups tell Freeland
Forging ahead with increasing Canada's capital gains inclusion rate 'sows division,' and is a 'shortsighted' way to improve the deficit, business groups are warning Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
Defence attacks Stormy Daniels' credibility as she returns to the stand in Trump's hush money trial
Stormy Daniels will return to the witness stand Thursday in Donald Trump's hush money trial as the defence tries to undermine the credibility of the porn actor's salacious testimony about their alleged sexual encounter and the money she was paid to keep quiet.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.
Florida deputies who fatally shot U.S. airman burst into wrong apartment, attorney says
Deputies responding to a disturbance call at a Florida apartment complex burst into the wrong unit and fatally shot a Black U.S. Air Force airman who was home alone when they saw he was armed with a gun, an attorney for the man's family said Wednesday.
Air Canada ranks near bottom on customer satisfaction: survey
Air Canada ranks below most other major North American airlines on customer satisfaction, with airfares a particular sore point, according to a new survey.