Pierre Poilievre Calls for Zero Federal Tax on Gas and Diesel for Remainder of 2026
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has renewed his call to eliminate all federal taxes on gasoline and diesel for the rest of 2026, arguing that Canadians are paying significantly more at the pump than Americans due to what he describes as excessive Liberal taxation.
According to Poilievre, suspending the Fuel Excise Tax, the Clean Fuel Standard, and the GST on fuel would save Canadians 25 cents per litre. This would amount to approximately $20 per minivan fill-up and $1,218 annually for a family of four. He stated that the plan would remove the excise tax and GST until the finish of the calendar year and eliminate the Clean Fuel Standard permanently.
Poilievre also reiterated his commitment to permanently eliminating the Industrial Carbon Tax, which he claims has been rebranded and increased under the current government. He criticized Prime Minister Mark Carney for not abolishing the carbon tax but instead renaming it and raising related levies, which he says has driven up fuel and grocery costs.
Highlighting a price disparity, Poilievre noted that on April 1, 2026, Americans were paying $1.50 per litre in Canadian dollars, while Canadians paid $1.78 per litre — nearly 20 per cent more. He attributed this gap to federal taxes, claiming Liberals force Canadians to pay 28 cents more per litre than their U.S. Counterparts.
The Conservative leader framed the proposal as a matter of affordability, saying seniors should be able to drive to visit grandchildren without financial stress, parents should not worry about filling minivans for hockey practice, and workers should be able to fuel their trucks without anxiety.
Poilievre made the announcement during a news conference in Ottawa on April 24, 2026, where he also discussed broader Canada-U.S. Trade implications tied to energy policy.
He has previously advocated for similar measures, including a call on April 2, 2026, for “zero federal tax on gas and diesel for the rest of 2026,” arguing that federal policies artificially inflate fuel prices.