Canada gas tax hike faces strong public opposition

A Leger poll of 1,516 Canadians conducted in late July shows that 63% of respondents oppose the federal government’s plan to restore a fuel excise tax on September 8, with 71% of decided voters against the increase. The proposed hike would add 10 cents per litre to gasoline and 4 cents per litre to diesel after a temporary suspension that began on April 20 to ease price pressure from Middle‑East oil disruptions. The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) cited the poll as evidence that Canadians across demographics – especially women, people over 55 and residents of the Prairies – reject the plan, urging Finance Minister Mark Carney to keep the tax suspended. Provincial opposition varies, with Saskatchewan and Manitoba showing the highest resistance (62%) and Quebec the lowest (33%). The government estimates the temporary tax cut will provide roughly $2.4 billion in relief, but the reinstated tax would cost households an estimated $0.10 per litre of gasoline.