Small majority of Manitobans want gas tax scrapped or reduced: poll

Most Manitobans would like to see the province’s gas tax scrapped, paused or reduced.

A new poll shows a slight majority of Manitobans are looking for some relief at the pumps this summer as the ongoing war in Iran continues to push prices further up.

The Angus Reid Institute released a new poll Friday, asking Canadians’ thoughts on provincial gas taxes.

According to the survey, 55 per cent of all Canadians surveyed believed taxes should be eased, though they remain divided on how it should be accomplished.

Twenty per cent of respondents believe provincial gas taxes should be removed entirely, while 18 per cent believe the taxes should be paused. Seventeen per cent thought they should be reduced until September, even if it has an impact on provincial budgets.

In Manitoba, 20 per cent of respondents thought the gas taxes should be scrapped entirely, while 19 per cent want a pause. Another 19 per cent called for a reduction.

The poll found Manitobans with a lower household income (56 per cent), who lived in rural regions (62 per cent) and males (59 per cent) were in favour of the tax changes or scraping the tax entirely.

Angus Reid surveyed 2,360 adult Canadians between April 24 and 28. A probability sample of this size has a margin of error of plus/minus two per cent, 19 times out of 20.