Ontario premier promises to lower gas prices, match federal carbon tax cut

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — It’s not just British Columbians who are sick of high gas prices. Ontario Premier Doug Ford has joined calls for cheaper fuel in his province, vowing to bring down the price at the pump there.

Ford challenged Ottawa, saying his government will match its cut. He says he’s promising a provincial tax cut of 5.7 cents per litre.

“I will match every single penny. There’s a challenge. Every single penny the government deducts off their tax, we will match that,” he said.

Despite his earlier promises to bring prices down, they have soared to explosive new heights in recent months, with no sign of relief in sight.

Ford blames much of the climb on his losing court battle with the federal government over the carbon tax.

“I lost in court unfortunately, I respect the court’s decision, but I kept warning (people) … the carbon tax is the single worst tax on the backs on Canadians that’s ever existed,” he said.

“I have gotten along so well with the federal government and I’m going to continue getting along with the federal government, but there’s one thing we don’t agree on and that’s the carbon tax.”

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The game of gas-price chicken is unlikely to result in savings for drivers — Justin Trudeau’s federal climate plan calls for carbon tax increases through to 2030.

Trudeau has argued that the tax will continue to be rebated and that most families should get more back than they pay in tax.

With files from The Canadian Press