Voices growing louder for N.S. government to cut gas taxes to provide some relief
Voices growing louder for N.S. government to cut gas taxes to provide some relief
The handle from a gasoline pump hangs from the filler neck of a motorist's vehicle at a Shell station Saturday, July 31, 2021, in Englewood, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
GLACE BAY, N.S. -
Prices at the gas pumps these days are causing pain for people's pocket books.
Gas is currently selling at a minimum price of $2.10 a litre in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality – the highest prices at the pumps in the province.
"It's a kick in the 'you know where.' Holy cow, they're telling us to get out there and take off your mask and enjoy it, but what can you afford to do or go,” said motorist Bernie Larusic.
The price of gasoline has some motorists calling for financial help from the government.
“That $2 mark was a psychological threshold and I think everyone is talking about this now,” said Tom Urbaniak, a political science professor at Cape Breton University.
Urbaniak says there are options governments can consider to help consumers with the high costs of just about everything.
“Quebec gave $500 and is considering another $500 and that way, it's a little more equitable for people who rely on other forms of transportation,” he said.
According to the Canadian Tax Payers Federation, one-third of the price of gas in Nova Scotia is taxes.
Alberta recently suspended their tax on fuel, which led to an immediate reduction in the price of gasoline. Something Nova Scotia's finance minister said won't happen in that province.
Finance Minister Allan MacMaster said, instead, their focus is on people at the lowest income levels.
“People who have higher incomes, the inflation we're seeing is not a nice thing to experience, but they're more equipped to deal with it than people at the lowest income levels,” said MacMaster.
Government officials could get a break though. MacMaster said he's reviewing the province's government mileage rate.
“Anybody that is working for the government and providing service to the public, we don't want there to be any out-of-pocket costs. There is a cost to deliver services and it's the government's costs to bear,” said MacMaster.
Analysts are forecasting the price of fuel to drop in Nova Scotia at midnight Thursday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Protesters at U.S. Supreme Court decry abortion ruling overturning Roe v. Wade
Hundreds of protesters descended on the U.S. Supreme Court on Saturday to denounce the justice's decision to overturn the half-century-old Roe v. Wade precedent that recognized women's constitutional right to abortion.
Tear gas used to disperse protesters outside Arizona Capitol building, officials say
After the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade on Friday, holding that there is no longer a federal constitutional right to an abortion, protesters and supporters of the ruling gathered at the high court's building in Washington, D.C., and in other cities nationwide.
Biden signs landmark gun measure, says 'lives will be saved'
U.S. President Joe Biden on Saturday signed the most sweeping gun violence bill in decades, a bipartisan compromise that seemed unimaginable until a recent series of mass shootings, including the massacre of 19 students and two teachers at a Texas elementary school.
Conservative MPs free to attend 'freedom' protests this summer: Bergen
With the nation's capital bracing for anticipated anti-mandate 'freedom' movement protests during Canada Day weekend, interim Conservative Leader Candice Bergen says her MPs are free to attend.
Indigenous conservation Canada's way of the future, environment minister says
Tanya Ball began her career as a social worker for the Kaska Dene First Nation. Now she runs a land guardian program, working to monitor and protect a vast stretch of the band's northern British Columbia wilderness.
Abortion is legal in Canada -- but is it accessible? Experts weigh in
There is a renewed conversation about abortion accessibility and rights for women in Canada after U.S. Supreme Court justices overturned the Roe v. Wade case on Friday, allowing states to ban abortions.
Roe v. Wade: These U.S. states are likely to ban abortion
With the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to end constitutional protections for abortion, 26 states are likely to ban abortions; 13 of which are expected to enact bans against the medical procedure immediately.
Norway terror alert raised after deadly mass shooting
A gunman opened fire in Oslo's nightlife district early Saturday, killing two people and leaving more than 20 wounded in what the Norwegian security service called an "Islamist terror act" during the capital's annual LGBTQ Pride festival.
Russia pushes to block 2nd city in eastern Ukraine
Russian forces were trying to block a city in eastern Ukraine, the region's governor said Saturday, after a relentless assault on a neighboring city forced Ukrainian troops to begin withdrawing after weeks of intense fighting.
Toronto
-
Office workers are returning to Toronto but foot traffic on Mondays and Fridays hasn’t bounced back. Will it ever?
More people are commuting to offices downtown than at any point since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic but the recovery hasn’t been equal across the board, with both GO Transit and the TTC reporting fluctuations in ridership as many workers choose to work from home at the beginning and end of each week.
-
'I will always honour her': Husband files lawsuit in Ontario animal activist's death
Every Monday, Mark Powell drives to the Burlington, Ont., pork plant where his wife died to give water to pigs on their way to slaughter.
-
Man arrested after four people violently attacked by his dog in Toronto: police
A suspect has been arrested after he and his 100-pound dog allegedly attacked four people overnight, Toronto police say.
Calgary
-
Cyclists ride from Airdrie to Olds in support of MS research
For the first time in three years, cyclists will be putting on their helmets and tuning up their bikes for a marathon ride in support of multiple sclerosis research and services.
-
Here's where UCP leadership candidates stand on abortion and access to it
After the U.S. Supreme Court stripped away constitutional protections for abortion Friday by overturning Roe v. Wade, NDP Leader Rachel Notley demanded that everyone running to become the next leader of the UCP clarify their stance on the issue.
-
Sentence appeals granted in 3 Alberta multiple murder cases
Four convicted multiple murderers in Alberta will be offered the chance to plead their cases to a parole board much earlier after series of appeal decisions on Friday.
Montreal
-
Quebec Justice Minister Jolin-Barrette is in France looking for ways to improve the justice system
Quebec Justice Minister Simon Jolin-Barrette's diplomatic mission to France was not only an opportunity to discuss the French language, but also to exchange ideas on how to improve the justice system.
-
Anger, political pushback in Quebec after Legault says cultures are 'not on the same level'
Those who know the debate most intimately said there's little nuance to be found in Quebec Premier Legault's arguments about Quebec's immigration model. 'Every time it's as painful as it is the first time,' said a spokesperson for a Sikh group.
-
'She was full of life': family to hold memorial for Montreal teen Adalya Dorvil
Friends and family of a 17-year-old girl who died in what police are calling an accident on the shore in LaSalle will gather Saturday to remember the Montreal teen who her mother said was 'was full of life.'
Edmonton
-
Here's where UCP leadership candidates stand on abortion and access to it
After the U.S. Supreme Court stripped away constitutional protections for abortion Friday by overturning Roe v. Wade, NDP Leader Rachel Notley demanded that everyone running to become the next leader of the UCP clarify their stance on the issue.
-
'It feels so good': Alberta MP celebrates overturning of Roe v. Wade
A Member of Parliament from rural Alberta went live on Facebook Friday to celebrate a United States Supreme Court vote to end constitutional protections for abortion.
-
Conservative MPs free to attend 'freedom' protests this summer: Bergen
With the nation's capital bracing for anticipated anti-mandate 'freedom' movement protests during Canada Day weekend, interim Conservative Leader Candice Bergen says her MPs are free to attend.
Northern Ontario
-
WATCH: Puppy escapes bald eagle after getting snatched from B.C. backyard
A doorbell camera captured the moment a puppy was scooped up by a bald eagle from a B.C. backyard. The dog returned moments later after escaping the bird's talons.
-
Ottawa parents demand answers after boy, 11, not dropped off by school bus
An Ottawa family is demanding answers after their son went missing for five hours following his pickup from school on Monday.
-
Toronto Police pitch licence plate scanners as a way to close parking ticket 'loophole'
The Toronto Police Service are eyeing ways to add more technology to the city’s parking system in a way that could give drivers more options to avoid tickets — and close what one self-styled parking vigilante calls a “loophole.”
London
-
Police continue to investigate fatal collision involving pedestrian on Walpole Island
The identity of a pedestrian who died after being struck by a vehicle on Walpole Island has been released by police.
-
Woodstock Police Service introduces newest police dog
The Woodstock Police Service (WPS) is welcoming its newest four-legged officer to the force.
-
'I will always honour her': Husband files lawsuit in Ontario animal activist's death
Every Monday, Mark Powell drives to the Burlington, Ont., pork plant where his wife died to give water to pigs on their way to slaughter.
Winnipeg
-
'Not sustainable': Doctors Manitoba concerned about rural and northern Manitoba health-care system
Doctors Manitoba is voicing concern about the health-care system in rural and northern Manitoba.
-
Five Winnipeg students involved in 'pepper spray' incident while riding bus to school
A group of students from a school in Winnipeg's River Park South neighbourhood were involved in a 'pepper spray incident' while riding to school on a Winnipeg Transit bus, says a local school division.
-
'It just made my heart warm': Winnipeg bus driver's act of kindness captured on video
An act of kindness from a Winnipeg bus driver is being shared by a passenger who says it warmed his heart to witness.
Ottawa
-
Ottawa police warn officers will soon start issuing $110 fines for expired licence plates
Ottawa police are reminding drivers to renew their vehicle licence plate, saying officers will soon begin issuing $110 fines for expired plates.
-
Conservative MPs free to attend 'freedom' protests this summer: Bergen
With the nation's capital bracing for anticipated anti-mandate 'freedom' movement protests during Canada Day weekend, interim Conservative Leader Candice Bergen says her MPs are free to attend.
-
Ottawa distress centre seeing increase in calls about finances, inflation
The Distress Centre of Ottawa and Region has seen an increase in calls about financial stress in the last year, as inflation reaches levels not seen in decades.
Saskatoon
-
Flying high: U of S students successfully launch high altitude balloon into near space
A group of students from the University of Saskatchewan were given three weeks to plan and conduct the launch of a high altitude balloon into near space.
-
Indigenous conservation Canada's way of the future, environment minister says
Tanya Ball began her career as a social worker for the Kaska Dene First Nation. Now she runs a land guardian program, working to monitor and protect a vast stretch of the band's northern British Columbia wilderness.
-
Conservative MPs free to attend 'freedom' protests this summer: Bergen
With the nation's capital bracing for anticipated anti-mandate 'freedom' movement protests during Canada Day weekend, interim Conservative Leader Candice Bergen says her MPs are free to attend.
Vancouver
-
Vancouver police video adds to timeline of missing Indigenous woman Tatyanna Harrison
The mother of missing Indigenous woman Tatyanna Harrison has collaborated with the Vancouver Police Department to release a new video documenting her daughter's disappearance.
-
Missing Kelowna woman found dead, family confirms
The family of Chelsea Cardno says the body found on flooded farmland adjacent to Mission Creek Friday night has been identified as the missing Kelowna woman.
-
'We have to multi-solve': Experts warn against 'air-conditioned society' as heat waves get hotter
Hundreds of people who perished during the historic heat wave in British Columbia last summer died in homes ill-suited for temperatures that spiked into the high 30s and beyond for days, a report by B.C.'s coroners' service found this month.
Regina
-
'A powerful, photogenic storm': More than 20 tornado warnings issued during stormy Saskatchewan night
Saskatchewan's skies lived up to its moniker Thursday night, creating some picturesque storm clouds.
-
'A key area of risk': Inflationary costs a factor in Regina Public Schools projected $2.5M deficit
The Regina Board of Education is projecting a $2.5 million deficit for the 2022-23 school year, with rising costs neutralizing funding increases.
-
Regina city councillor responds to backlash surrounding comments on homelessness
A comment made by Coun. Terina Shaw about homelessness continues to stir controversy, with First Nations organizations calling on the city to take disciplinary action.
Vancouver Island
-
New college course teaches TV and film production skills to Indigenous students on Vancouver Island
Eight students are the first to graduate from a new Vancouver Island program that helps give Indigenous students the skills they need to enter the booming film and TV industry.
-
'We have to multi-solve': Experts warn against 'air-conditioned society' as heat waves get hotter
Hundreds of people who perished during the historic heat wave in British Columbia last summer died in homes ill-suited for temperatures that spiked into the high 30s and beyond for days, a report by B.C.'s coroners' service found this month.
-
Indigenous conservation Canada's way of the future, environment minister says
Tanya Ball began her career as a social worker for the Kaska Dene First Nation. Now she runs a land guardian program, working to monitor and protect a vast stretch of the band's northern British Columbia wilderness.