Saskatchewan NDP’s emergency gas tax bill blocked in legislature

The Sask. NDP didn’t even get to discuss its gas tax affordability measure on Tuesday, as no government MLAs voted to allow the party to introduce the emergency measure.

“This was their choice: to vote down even the ability to discuss this emergency motion, something that would have seen Saskatchewan people paying $0.15 less a litre at the pumps tomorrow,” said NDP Leader Carla Beck afterward.

She said people in the province were looking for real, tangible relief, adding that her party had been calling for the measure for two years and the urgency has only grown for Saskatchewan residents.

“We’re looking for — what Saskatchewan people are looking for — are measures that are going to allow them to put Christmas gifts under the table, to be able to continue to put gas in their vehicles. But it doesn’t have to be just one measure, we’ll look at all measures that will provide that affordability relief,” said Beck.

Read more:

• Scott Moe rejects federal NDP’s suggestions for affordability relief
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• ‘Very serious conversation’: Moe says Trump’s tariffs would have huge impact

Instead of voting for the NDP’s motion, Premier Scott Moe said the government is going to focus on its own suite of affordability measures, including continuing the cut of the carbon tax from home heating and the tax cuts and credits promised during the election campaign.

Moe said the government’s measures are permanent, and they’re affordable for the government.

“That’s why they’re going to be phased in over four years, so we can find our way into ensuring that these tax changes are there for generations to come — not temporary,” said the premier.

Sask. NDP Leader Carla Beck said in Regina on Nov. 26, 2024 people need affordability relief immediately, and cutting the gas tax is the best way her party had found. (Lisa Schick/980 CJME)

However, Beck criticized the government’s measures as being too far off. She said her party has heard from people who don’t have a month or two to wait for help.

She said her party will keep pushing the government, because Saskatchewan people nee help, and the government hasn’t put forward anything else to give that kind of immediate help.

“So far this is the best that we have found to offer the kind of relief people need as quickly as people need it,” said Beck.

Beck didn’t say whether or not her party will support the government’s affordability measures, just that her members would have a look at it to see what it’s proposing.

Read more:

• Scott Moe rejects federal NDP’s suggestions for affordability relief
• Federal government plans to give $250 to millions, cut GST
• ‘Very serious conversation’: Moe says Trump’s tariffs would have huge impact