(November 4, 2022, St. John’s) – Tony Wakeham, PC Official Opposition Shadow Minister of Finance and MHA for Stephenville-Port au Port, is once again calling on the Liberal government to take action to lower the cost of living in Newfoundland and Labrador, this time calling for the rebate of Carbon Tax on gasoline and diesel.

“Gas price analysts are predicting that with the cold weather and the holiday season approaching the price of gasoline and diesel will continue to rise. The price of gasoline is already too high while the price of diesel continues to push the cost of groceries and essential goods upwards,” said Wakeham.

“Analysts are worried the price of diesel could hit $3 this winter. Every increase to the price of diesel makes grocery store bills more expensive. The last thing the people of Newfoundland and Labrador need right now is more price increases at the grocery store.”
Wakeham pointed to the revenue the province collects from Carbon Tax, 11 cents per litre on gasoline and 13 cents per liter on diesel, as an option to lower these costs.

“The Carbon Tax is costing Newfoundlanders and Labradors too much. Given that this Tax is collected provincially, I believe it is time for the Liberals to give the Carbon Tax revenue back to the people who are paying too much at the pumps. We need regular rebates, as we see federally and in most other provinces,” proclaimed Wakeham.

On October 20 in the House of Assembly, when asked about the Carbon Tax, Premier Furey said: “this instrument should be paused right now given the inflationary pressures that exist on households”.

“The Premier knows that the Liberal Carbon Tax is causing hardship to the people of the province. So today, I’m calling on the Premier to help Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to do the right thing and help the people of this province who are struggling with the skyrocketing cost of living,” said Wakeham.

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Contacts:

David Maher

Director of Strategic Communications

(cell) 709-725-0984

DavidMaher@gov.nl.ca