KAWARTHA LAKES-The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is calling on the Federal government to cancel plans to hike fuel taxes in September following Leger polling that shows 63 per cent of Canadians oppose the tax increase.
“Canadians in every demographic oppose Carney’s plan to crank federal gas taxes back up,” said Franco Terrazzano, CTF Federal Director, at a news conference in Toronto. “Canadians can’t afford to pay more at the gas pumps while paying higher prices for everything that is trucked to store shelves, so Carney should do the right thing and cancel the fuel tax hike.”
The federal government temporarily suspended its fuel tax on gas and diesel in April. The federal government is planning to hike its fuel tax back up to 10 cents per litre of gas and four cents per litre of diesel on Sept. 8, 2026.
The Leger poll asked Canadians if they support or oppose the government increasing fuel taxes in September. Results of the poll show:
- 43 per cent strongly oppose the tax increase
- 20 per cent somewhat oppose the tax increase
- 17 per cent somewhat support the tax increase
- 8 per cent strongly support the tax increase
- 11 per cent don’t know
Among those decided on the issue, 71 per cent of Canadians oppose the fuel tax increase, according to the poll.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford recently wrote to the prime minister calling on the federal government to extend fuel tax relief.
“As Canadians continue to grapple with the cost of housing, grocery prices and everyday household expenses, now is not the time to re-introduce the federal fuel excise tax on gasoline and diesel,” Ford said. “I am urging you to extend the suspension of the federal fuel excise tax on gasoline and diesel until at least Jan. 1, 2027.
“The federal government could also match Ontario’s ambition to lower costs by making the suspension permanent.”
The Canadian Taxpayers Federation held a press conference in Toronto today to show Canadians how much the fuel tax hike would cost. The federal fuel tax hike would cost a family fuelling up their minivan once per week about $390 annually. Canadians also pay provincial fuel taxes, hidden carbon taxes and sales taxes every time they fuel up.
“Cutting taxes makes life more affordable and the federal government needs to cut spending so it can provide permanent relief without ballooning the debt,” said Noah Jarvis, CTF Ontario Director. “Carney needs to listen to Canadians and Ford and cancel his September gas tax hike.”
