Fuel tax relief is welcome, but needed months ago

While a temporary cut to the fuel tax may provide some relief, it should have come sooner, says Liberal Affordability Critic, Hal Perry.

“Any measure that puts a few more dollars back into Islanders’ pockets is welcome, Islanders have been dealing with rising fuel costs for months,” Perry said. “A government that understood the pressure Islanders are under would have cut fuel taxes before the busy summer season.”

Perry said the federal government suspended its fuel excise tax in April, ahead of the busiest months for farmers and fishers, and when many families are heading out on their summer road trips. 

“Islanders deserve a break at the pump, and we’re glad they’re finally getting one,” said Perry. “But this government could have acted sooner.”

In particular, Perry noted that the Liberals tried to bring forward action on fuel affordability in the spring of 2026 by introducing legislation that would have changed PEI’s fuel-pricing benchmark to the New York Harbor benchmark used elsewhere in Atlantic Canada. This bill, which would have introduced a permanent fuel-pricing change instead of government’s temporary suspension of the provincial gas tax, was defeated after government voted it down in May. 

“The Conservative defeat of our cost-saving bill spoke volumes about the Rob Lantz government: Avoid sensible decisions until forced,” Perry said. “It would have been nice to see the provincial government act in the spring. We welcome the relief that is coming tonight, but wish that a permanent solution had been put in place much sooner.”