Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is demanding the federal government temporarily eliminate taxes on fuel, as rising global oil prices tied to the ongoing Middle East conflict push pump prices higher across Canada.
Poilievre is calling for an immediate suspension of both the GST and federal excise tax on gasoline and diesel for the remainder of 2026 — a move he says would provide direct, immediate relief to Canadian drivers and businesses struggling with elevated fuel costs.
The Conservative leader outlined the proposal at a news conference in Ottawa Thursday morning, framing it as a straightforward way for the government to put money back in Canadians' pockets without bureaucratic delay.
Global Conflict Driving Prices Higher
The renewed push comes as escalating instability in the Middle East has rattled global energy markets, sending crude oil prices upward and translating into higher costs at fuel pumps from Vancouver to Halifax. The ripple effects have been felt particularly hard in provinces where commuting distances are long and fuel-dependent industries — such as agriculture, trucking, and oilfield services — form the backbone of the economy.
Canada is not alone in grappling with the strain. Countries including Australia and Ireland have already moved to reduce fuel taxes in response to the price surge, a fact Poilievre cited in support of his proposal.
Not the First Time Poilievre Has Made This Call
This is not the first time the Conservative leader has pushed for a fuel tax pause. Poilievre made a nearly identical call ahead of the summer of 2024 when gasoline prices climbed sharply in several regions. That proposal did not advance under the previous government.
With fuel costs once again becoming a kitchen-table issue for Canadian families, Poilievre is reviving the idea — and this time with a broader global backdrop to bolster his argument.
For Albertans in particular, where personal vehicles are a necessity rather than a luxury and where the energy sector underpins much of the provincial economy, a federal fuel tax holiday would represent meaningful relief. Truckers, farmers, and small business owners operating fleets have seen operating costs climb steadily alongside pump prices.
Source: CBC Politics. This article is based on reporting originally published by CBC News.