Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew said Tuesday he is thinking about extending his government’s fuel-tax holiday, which is set to expire at the end of June.
The NDP government kept a promise from their campaign by pausing the 14-cent-a-litre provincial fuel tax for six months starting on Jan. 1. This was done to help people deal with rising prices.
The government had mentioned the possibility of extending the tax holiday before, and Kinew said Tuesday that he's considering it, although he wasn't ready to announce anything immediately.
He talked about the recent shutdown of an Imperial Oil pipeline that brings gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel to Winnipeg from Gretna, Man. The shutdown 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 if he would make a decision before the budget set for April 2, Kinew was evasive.
“Where’s the showmanship in telling you that now?” he joked with reporters.
The Opposition Progressive Conservatives urged the government in the legislature to extend the tax holiday, in anticipation of a possible increase in prices due to 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.
