Gas prices set to drop as Chatel backs federal excise tax suspension

Tashi Farmilo

Sophie Chatel, the Liberal MP for Pontiac–Kitigan Zibi, has voiced her support for a federal government decision to temporarily cut a key fuel tax, saying it will ease the financial burden on families and businesses across her largely rural riding in the Outaouais.

Prime Minister Mark Carney announced on April 14 that the federal excise tax on gasoline and diesel will be suspended starting April 20 and running through to Labour Day, September 7. Drivers can expect to save about 10 cents per litre on regular gasoline and 4 cents per litre on diesel, with aviation fuel included as well. The federal government estimates the measure will amount to roughly $2.4 billion less in tax revenue, money that will instead stay in the pockets of Canadians.

The government says the move is a direct response to rising global fuel prices driven by ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which has disrupted oil supply chains and pushed up costs across Canada and around the world.

Chatel said the relief could not come at a better time for her constituents. Pontiac–Kitigan Zibi is one of Quebec's largest federal ridings, covering 41 municipalities and stretching from the outskirts of Gatineau hundreds of kilometres north along the Gatineau River, through a mix of small towns, farming communities, and First Nations territory. Where many residents drive long distances just to reach work or essential services, and where agriculture and trucking dominate the local economy, higher fuel costs hit harder than in urban centres.

Chatel called the suspension a pragmatic response to an exceptional situation, saying it delivers concrete relief to families and local entrepreneurs while remaining fiscally responsible. The federal government has similarly argued the measure will benefit businesses in transportation, construction, food production, and delivery by lowering operating costs and freeing up resources to hire and expand.

Not everyone is satisfied with the scope of the relief, however. Carney's announcement came on the same day the House of Commons was debating a Conservative Opposition motion calling for the removal of all federal fuel taxes until the end of the year. According to CBC News, Poilievre rose in the House to call the measure insufficient, saying Canadians cannot afford to fill their tanks and that his party wants all federal gas taxes eliminated for the remainder of 2026, not just the excise portion until Labour Day. The Conservative motion was ultimately voted down by the Liberals.

Chatel acknowledged the tax cut is only a temporary fix, and said further investment in long-term energy solutions will be needed to protect Canadians from the volatility of global fuel markets going forward.