Manitoba premier says he's considering extending tax holiday on fuel
WINNIPEG -- Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew said Tuesday he is considering extending his government's fuel-tax holiday, which is set to expire at the end of June.
The NDP government fulfilled a campaign promise when it suspended, for six months, the 14-cent-a-litre provincial fuel tax on Jan. 1. The move was aimed at helping people deal with inflation.
The government left the door open to a possible extension at the time, and Kinew said Tuesday he is considering it, although he was not prepared to make an announcement immediately.
He referred to the recent closure of an Imperial Oil pipeline that brings gasoline, diesel and jet fuel to Winnipeg from Gretna, Man. The closure is expected to last three months.
"The situation with the pipeline is something that we're learning to live with over the next few months and we're going to be there to help keep life affordable in Manitoba," Kinew said.
When asked whether he would announce a decision before the budget set for April 2, Kinew was coy.
"Where's the showmanship in telling you that now?" he joked with reporters.
The Opposition Progressive Conservatives called on the government in the legislature to extend the tax holiday, in anticipation of a potential spike in prices caused by the pipeline disruption.
"Any prolonged fuel shortage in Winnipeg over the next three months may lead to increased prices," Tory Greg Nesbitt said.
Provincial and Winnipeg city officials have said they are not expecting major disruptions in supply because trucks and trains will be used to replace the pipeline supply while repairs are done.
"Today, I've confirmed that fuel trucks are already on their way to Winnipeg from Gretna," Natural Resources Minister Jamie Moses told the legislature.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 19, 2024
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Cybersecurity incident' shuts down London Drugs stores across Western Canada
All 79 locations of pharmacy and retail chain London Drugs were shut down Sunday after it was the victim of a “cybersecurity incident.”
CDC says it's identified 1st documented cases of HIV transmitted through cosmetic needles
Three women diagnosed with HIV after getting 'vampire facial' procedures at an unlicensed medical spa are believed to be the first documented cases of people contracting the virus through a cosmetic procedure using needles.
Canucks pull off comeback, top Predators 4-3 in OT
Elias Lindholm scored 1:02 into overtime and the Vancouver Canucks came all the way back to beat the Nashville Predators 4-3 in Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Sunday.
Deadly six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 sparked by road rage incident
One person was killed in a six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 in Innisfil Friday evening.
Aerial photos show wide devastation left by a deadly tornado in China's Guangzhou
Aerial photos posted by Chinese state media on Sunday showed wide devastation in part of the southern city of Guangzhou after a tornado swept through the day before, killing five people, injuring dozens others and damaging more than 140 buildings.
Ontario to ban use of cellphones in school classrooms starting in September
Ontario is introducing a suite of measures that will crack down on cellphone use and vaping in schools.
Australian prime minister describes domestic violence as a 'national crisis' after protests
Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Monday described domestic violence as a 'national crisis' after thousands rallied around the country against violence toward women.
Casey DeSmith won’t start Game 4 for the Canucks
Rookie goalie Arturs Silovs will start in net for the Vancouver Canucks when they face the Nashville Predators in Game 4 of their first-round playoff series Sunday.
Putin likely didn't order death of Russian opposition leader Navalny, U.S. official says
U.S. intelligence officials have determined that Russian President Vladimir Putin likely didn't order the death of imprisoned opposition leader Alexei Navalny in February, according to an official familiar with the determination.