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A motorist fuels up a vehicle at a Shell gas station in Vancouver, on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Federal pause on gasoline, diesel tax takes effect today, after Iran fuel price spike

Apr 20, 2026 | 2:00 AM

OTTAWA — Ottawa’s temporary suspension of some fuel taxes kicks in today, with Canadians likely to save 10 cents per litre on regular gasoline, and four cents on a litre of diesel.

Prime Minister Mark Carney had announced last week a pause on those fuel excise taxes up until Labour Day.

The Liberals say this is a prudent way to tame prices at the pumps, at a cost of roughly $2.4 billion.

The Conservatives argue this isn’t enough to meet rising energy costs, calling for the pause to extend to the end of the year, as well as an end to clean-fuel standards and the industrial carbon tax.