The Town of Battleford hopes residents will be able to find relief from soaring gas prices in theSaskatchewan. (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW staff)

By Angela Brown

Asking for relief

Town of Battleford planning to ask province to help with high gas prices

Jun 22, 2022 | 2:28 PM

The Town of Battleford is looking into writing a letter to the province for help with the high gas prices impacting families, especially those in rural areas.

GasBuddy is reporting the average price for gas in the area is currently $1.95 a litre.

Coun. David George raised the issue at this week’s council meeting.

“Is there not something that we can do to help maybe possibly get something rolling to alleviate the gas crap that’s going on, whether it’s the carbon tax taken off or something like that,” he asked. “Is there nothing we can do to send a letter to the Premier saying: We’re getting hit with everything else. Fuel is something that Saskatchewan can’t go without, we’re not that big, with transit systems and all the rest of it.”

Alberta is reported to have taken some action by temporarily removing its provincial fuel tax to give motorists some relief.

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George hopes something similar can be done in Saskatchewan.

“It’s time somebody steps up and says something,” he said. “This is getting ridiculous… there are going to be people who fall by the wayside.”

Battleford Mayor Ames Leslie said Premier Scott Moe recently indicated the province is waiting until the end of the financial period before making any decisions on rebates related to skyrocketing gas prices, to see if Saskatchewan residents can get some help.

“They have a couple of options on the table to do a rebate, to a subsidy to certain groups or put it all to repay provincial debt,” he said.

Leslie added the town can still draft a letter for council to review and approve, and send it to the premier, the finance minister and the local MLA to see if they will take some action.

He also noted a few other communities have been pushing for relief as well.

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Angela.Brown@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW