St. John’s, NL (February 14, 2025) – Tony Wakeham, Leader of the Progressive Conservative Party and MHA for Stephenville-Port au Port, announced today that a PC Government will cut the provincial gas tax permanently as part of his plan to make life more affordable for all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.

Wakeham said meaningful long-term action is required to address the skyrocketing cost of living. People need more than the temporary action implemented by the Liberals, which leaves them worrying year after year if they will still get relief at the pumps or if they will be hit with a tax hike that will worsen their struggle to make ends meet.

“The Liberals’ temporary gas tax reduction is set to expire on March 31, 2025, which means gasoline and diesel will cost eight cents more per litre at the beginning of April. This will be a big hit for individuals and families trying to cope with the cost of living,” said Wakeham.  “The people of the province simply cannot afford to pay more at the pumps. A government I lead will permanently lower the gas tax to 7.5 cents a litre because we believe that lower taxes will help lower the cost of living throughout the province.”  

Wakeham pointed out it was only after months of political and public pressure in 2022 that the Liberal Government reluctantly reduced the provincial gas tax temporarily. If the Liberals were truly in touch with reality and the concerns of the people, they wouldn’t need to be pressured into doing the right thing.

“Unlike the Liberals, our Party is listening to the people of the province,” said Wakeham. “We are focused on what matters most to them and finding ways to put money back in their pockets.  That includes providing permanent gas tax relief and other bold actions like scrapping the sugar tax, reviewing all taxes and fees with a goal to eliminate or reduce those hitting people the hardest, and continuing our fight against the Liberal carbon tax.”

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