A senior government source told CP24 that the legislation, which is expected to be introduced on Monday, will reduce the gas tax by 5.7 cents per liter and the fuel tax by 5.3 cents per liter for six months from July 1. In 2018, Premier Doug Ford promised to reduce gas prices by 10 cents per liter through a tax cut and the abolition of the system of ceilings and transactions. Following his election, Ford canceled the cap and trade, which his government claims reduced gas tax rates by 4.3 cents per liter. However, the move prompted the federal government to impose a carbon tax on the province and eliminate these economies. Rising gas prices in the province have prompted some to ask Ford to fulfill its campaign promise to further reduce the gas tax and offer some relief to motorists. The average cost of gas in Ontario has risen in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, reaching almost $ 2 a liter in March. Motorists are expected to see another increase in the price of gas due to the increase in the federal coal tax that came into force on April 1. Last year, Ford said it would honor its commitment to reduce the gas tax by 5.7 cents per liter before the next budget, which was then to be unveiled on March 31, 2022. The government later moved the budget date to 30 April, days before the start of the election campaign. However, in February, the prime minister suggested he would not keep his campaign promise unless the federal government pledged to cut gas prices as well. The energy minister later repeated the same sentiment when asked if Ontario would follow Alberta’s move to cut fuel taxes to cut gas costs. Secretary Todd Smith said the county would only cut its gas tax if Ottawa cut GST first. – with files by Chris Fox
