The price of gas and diesel dropped significantly in the Maritimes overnight following the removal of the consumer carbon tax.
Nova Scotia
The price of regular self-serve gasoline in Nova Scotia decreased by 17.4 cents. The new minimum price is 146.5 cents per litre in the Halifax-area.
Diesel prices decreased by 19.8 cents, bringing the minimum price to 161.2 cents per litre.
In Cape Breton, the new minimum price of regular self-serve gasoline is 148.5 cents per litre and the new minimum price of diesel is 163.1 cents per litre.
Prince Edward Island
The minimum price of regular self-serve gasoline on P.E.I. decreased by 20.3 cents. The minimum price is now 149.6 cents per litre.
The price of diesel decreased by 24.5 cents on the island. The minimum price is now 165.9 cents per litre.
New Brunswick
In New Brunswick, the price of regular self-serve gasoline decreased by 20.2 cents, bringing the maximum price to 144.0 cents per litre.
Diesel prices decreased by 24.6 cents. The new maximum price in the province is 161.7 cents per litre.
Relief at the pumps
Overall, motorists appear to have a shared reaction when it comes to the new prices at the pumps.
“Exciting, I can’t even believe it just looking at the gas,” says Homa Abdulrahman, Halifax resident.
“Usually, I can only put about $60 (in the tank). Now I’ll be able to fill it. It will save people money, whether it be here or the grocery store, it will save people money,” says Sam Redden, a Halifax resident.
Carbon tax removed
Franco Terrazzano, federal director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, said the carbon tax costs the average Nova Scotia family roughly $238 more per year than what they are getting back in rebates.
“The carbon tax is and always was, and always will be, a bad idea for ordinary Canadians who are forced to pay the bill,” said Terrazzano.
“The carbon tax for years made life much more expensive so its good to see the consumer carbon tax rate brought down to zero. But look, the fight is not over. The carbon tax law is still on the books.”
