SASKATOON — The Canadian Taxpayers Federation called Friday for the Saskatchewan government to cut the provincial gas tax as drivers began fueling up for road trips during the Victoria Day long weekend.
“Saskatchewanians are paying high gas prices at the pump and gas taxes are a big part of that cost,” said Gage Haubrich, Prairie Director of the CTF. “Albertans are getting cheaper road trips this long weekend because the Alberta government slashed its gas tax to zero.”
Thursday, the price of gas was $1.55 per litre in Saskatoon. The price of gas in Edmonton was only $1.38.
The Alberta government’s gas tax was 13 cents per litre, but it was suspended in November 2022, said the CTF release issued Friday, adding Albertans now pay only federal taxes at the pumps. Federal taxes cost 32 cents per litre of gasoline, meaning drivers pay $37 in taxes to fill up a pickup truck and about $24 in taxes to fill up a minivan.
Saskatchewan’s gas tax is 15 cents per litre, the STF points out. Saskatchewan drivers pay both federal and provincial taxes at the pumps. Taxes total about 47 cents per litre of gasoline. That means drivers pay $55 in taxes to fill up a pickup truck and about $35 per minivan.
“Albertans save about $15 every time they fill up their pickup trucks,” Haubrich said. “Saskatchewanians should save some money this weekend and remember to fill up in Alberta on their way home from their Calgary road trip.”
