Manitoba premier floats another gas tax break as prices rise at the pumps

Manitoba’s premier is once again considering suspending the province’s gas tax to help deal with rising prices. CTV's Jeff Keele has more.

Manitoba drivers are feeling the pinch every time they fill up at the pump, prompting Premier Wab Kinew to consider another gas tax break.

With the war in Iran pushing prices in Winnipeg north of $1.70 a litre for gas and above $1.90 for diesel, drivers are hoping for another gas tax holiday.

In 2024, the Kinew government temporarily suspended the 14-cent-per-litre provincial tax on fuel then reinstated it at a slightly lower rate of 12.5 cents.

In question period Tuesday, the premier, unprompted, mused about another gas tax cut.

“In your Manitoba we’re focused on you, we cut the gas tax once, maybe we’ll do it again,” he said.

Though the move would be welcomed by many drivers, there are questions about whether the Kinew government could even afford it.

The province is running a deficit with fire season around the corner and there is always the potential for drought to impact hydro’s bottom line.

There are also skeptics who say the premier is simply toying with drivers.

“He talks in the chamber a lot, he says things and there’s no backup on them,” said PC Party leader Obby Khan.

There have been calls for gas tax cuts in other provinces and for the federal government to slash fuel taxes.

Prime Minister Mark Carney hinted this week that some relief measures could be coming.

“This is what the government is focused on is how long is this going to persist and what can we do to cushion the blow for Canadians and that’s something we’re looking at,” Carney said.

CTV News reached out to the province to see if Manitobans can expect a gas tax break. We were told to refer to the premier’s comments in the house.