(SeaPRwire) –   IQALUIT, NU, April 24, 2026 – The world is changing quickly. Canada’s new government is concentrating on what it can manage in response: constructing a more robust, self-sufficient, and resilient economy. Our goal is an economy that offers Canadians more security, stability, and a reduced cost of living.

Worldwide fuel prices are rising due to global tensions and continuing supply chain issues in the Middle East. To enhance Canada’s energy security and decrease dependence on outside forces, the government is pushing forward with significant initiatives to harness the country’s complete capabilities in both renewable and traditional energy. We are making substantial investments in electricity, liquefied natural gas, and nuclear power to deliver clean, dependable, and cost-effective energy to all Canadians. While we plan for the future, we are also offering prompt assistance to reduce expenses for Canadians today—such as reducing taxes for 22 million people, eliminating the consumer carbon price, and safeguarding and growing essential social services.

In Iqaluit today, the Honourable Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Public Safety, participated in an event to announce the government’s temporary suspension of the federal fuel excise tax on gasoline and diesel nationwide. Effective April 20, 2026, the new government has halted the full tax on gasoline and diesel until September 7, 2026. This move is anticipated to lower prices at the pump by 10 cents per litre for gasoline and 4 cents for diesel. The tax on aviation fuels is also being temporarily suspended.

Suspending the gasoline and diesel tax until Labour Day is a prudent step that will lower expenses for truckers and companies in the food, farming, housing, construction, and delivery industries. Reduced costs and improved financial health enable businesses to employ more staff, invest with assurance, and increase exports to international markets.

Minister Anandasangaree also emphasized that qualified Canadians will get extra help through the new Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit. This includes a single, 50% supplement to the GST credit paid on June 5, 2026, and, starting in July 2026, a 25% boost to the benefit for a five-year period. This benefit will offer a family of four as much as $1,890 this year, and roughly $1,400 annually for the following four years; a single individual can receive up to $950 this year, and about $700 per year for the next four years. Over 12 million Canadians will gain considerable assistance from this benefit, helping them manage rising grocery costs that outpace inflation.

The new Canadian government was chosen to establish a more durable economy—one that generates quality jobs, reinforces national sovereignty, and enables all citizens to enjoy a more affordable lifestyle. We are acting quickly and with determination to create a nation where every Canadian experiences more stability, safety, and wealth.

Quote
“Making life affordable continues to be a key focus for our government. Reducing fuel prices for gasoline and diesel and implementing the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit are specific actions we are taking to assist Canadians during these difficult times, while also preparing them for future prosperity—by developing the most powerful economy in the G7.”
– The Honourable Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Public Safety

Quick Facts
Today’s news adds to significant efforts already underway to reduce expenses for Canadians, such as:

• Reducing taxes for almost 22 million Canadians by decreasing the first marginal personal income tax rate from 15% to 14% starting July 1, 2025. This offers tax savings of up to $420 per person this year, or up to $840 for dual-income households.
• Removing the Goods and Services Tax (GST) for first-time buyers of new homes priced up to $1 million and lowering the GST for new homes between $1 million and $1.5 million. This change aims to quickly help more Canadians, particularly young families, achieve homeownership.
• Ending the federal consumer fuel charge as of April 1, 2025, which directly saves Canadians money on fuel. The government also eliminated the mandate for provinces and territories to implement a consumer carbon price on that date. This has decreased gasoline prices by as much as 18 cents per litre in many regions compared to 2024-25, reducing overall inflation.

Budget 2025 also detailed specific steps to guarantee Canadians get the aid they need, with focused actions to improve food security and make household essentials more affordable:

• Establishing the National School Food Program as a permanent initiative, offering school meals for as many as 400,000 children every year. Families with two children in the program could save around $800 each year on food costs.
• Launching Automatic Federal Benefits, beginning with the 2026 tax year, to guarantee that up to 5.5 million low-income Canadians automatically get the benefits they are entitled to by the 2028 tax year. This includes the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit and the Canada Child Benefit.
• Reducing prices and boosting competition in key service sectors. This involves vigorous pro-competition policies in telecommunications and finance to cut costs, simplify switching between providers, and decrease banking and service charges.
• Further details on Budget 2025 actions to address affordability can be found here.

Associated Links

• Prime Minister Carney suspends the federal fuel excise tax on gasoline and diesel to lower costs for Canadians
• Backgrounder: Temporarily suspending the federal fuel excise tax – Canada.ca
• Legislation to make life more affordable receives Royal Assent

Stay connected

Follow Public Safety Canada on X, LinkedIn and YouTube
Follow Don’t Drive High on Facebook and Instagram

SOURCE Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada (PSEPC)