Ottawa: Ahead of the federal budget presentation on November 5, Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre has intensified pressure on the federal government, demanding a temporary exemption of all federal taxes and GST on diesel until Canada Day on July 1.
Poilievre put forward this demand in a letter addressed to Prime Minister Mark Carney. He pointed out that waiving the GST and fuel standard taxes on fuel would ease the financial burden on everyday citizens and business owners through the Christmas season and the months following.
The letter also urges the government to fulfill its previous promise of reducing the national debt and fiscal deficit relative to GDP, while cutting back on unnecessary, inflation-driving government spending.
“Since you took office, the cost of living in the country has skyrocketed. Even if global crises were beyond control, the government worsened the situation through its own decisions,” Poilievre alleged.
According to projections by the Parliamentary Budget Officer (PBO), Canada’s fiscal deficit is expected to remain elevated in the coming years. The PBO estimates the deficit will hit $63.3 billion in the 2026–27 fiscal year and rise to $70.2 billion in subsequent years.
Meanwhile, Minister of Finance François-Philippe Champagne responded by stating that the upcoming budget will feature plans designed to build a stronger, safer, and more affordable Canada for everyone.
