Canadian Party of Quebec calls for temporary suspension of Quebec fuel taxes amid price surge

MONTREAL, QUEBEC – Canadian Party of Quebec (CaPQ) leader Joseph Cianflone today called on the Government of Quebec to suspend provincial fuel taxes for at least the next month to provide immediate relief to Quebecers facing sharp fuel price increases linked to instability in the Middle East.

“The recent surge in fuel prices is putting serious financial pressure on Quebec families, commuters, and small businesses,” said Cianflone. “Quebec already has some of the highest fuel taxes in the country. Temporarily suspending or reducing those taxes would offer meaningful relief at a time when Quebecers need it most.”

Quebec drivers currently pay a provincial fuel tax of 19.2 cents per litre on gasoline and 20.2 cents per litre on diesel. In Montreal, those rates increase by an additional three cents per litre. On top of that, both the GST (5%) and QST (9.975%) are applied to the total amount.

"Other provinces have reduced their own taxes on fuel," noted CaPQ Party President Charles Roburn. “Ontario cut its gas tax to nine cents per litre in 2022, and made that reduction permanent this past May. Manitoba suspended its fuel tax entirely in 2024 and reintroduced it at a lower rate in 2025. Alberta created a system to reduce gas taxes automatically during price spikes. Quebec should adopt a similar approach.”  

“The current tax structure in Quebec produces one of the highest overall fuel tax burdens in Canada, placing additional strain on consumers and on the provincial economy as a whole,” Cianflone continued. “Quebecers are paying more at the pump because of decisions made in Quebec City. When government policy is making the situation worse, the government has a responsibility to change that policy.”

Cianflone emphasized that the proposed suspension would be temporary and targeted, providing immediate relief while global energy markets stabilize.

“Quebecers should not have to shoulder the full impact of global instability when Quebec City has the power to help,” he concluded.

19.Mar.26 CaPQ Press Release_Bilingual.docx.pdf

Download PDF • 182KB