The Yukon Party continued to press the government Tuesday on what it plans to do as energy prices in the form of fuel explode.

“As Yukoners struggle under the weight of skyrocketing fuel prices, the Yukon Party official Opposition is urging the Liberal government to follow the lead of other jurisdictions and provide temporary relief from the territorial fuel tax,” party leader Currie Dixon stated during question period. He said the same thing in a news release.

The move would lower prices at the pumps and help Yukoners as inflation continues to increase at a rapid pace, he said.

“Alberta just announced they are pausing the collection of their fuel tax,” noted Dixon.

“The Saskatchewan NDP are calling for something similar in Saskatchewan, and the Liberal government in Newfoundland says they are reviewing their fuel tax in advance of their budget. There is no reason why the Yukon Liberal government cannot do the same here.”

The 2022-2023 territorial budget tabled last Thursday projects a surplus of $39.5 million, the party pointed out. There would still be a surplus if the fuel tax was waived, the party stated.

The government is estimating it will collect $9.66 million in fuel taxes in the coming fiscal year.

“The Liberal budget does nothing to address the growing inflation and affordability crisis in the territory,” Dixon said.

“The reality is many Yukoners are now struggling to pay for their daily essentials, and there is no relief in sight.”

A regular litre of gasoline is selling for $1.79 at most local outlets, a cost that’s expected to significantly rise in the coming days and weeks.

“(Monday), when we asked the government whether it was considering any measures at all to help Yukoners deal with rising prices at the pump, and despite the wide range of policy tools that the Yukon government has to influence fuel prices, the minister’s answer was: ‘Don’t worry, the Our Clean Future strategy is helping transition us away from fossil fuels,’” Dixon said during Tuesday’s question period.

“That, of course, is cold comfort to Yukoners who are struggling to fill up their tanks this week or businesses whose biggest cost is fuel.”

Economic Development Minister Ranj Pillai replied, “Just to correct the record, (Monday) what we said was that these are measures. We didn’t say, ‘Don’t worry.’

“Our budget for 2022-23 invests in, first of all, housing supply. Again, universal childcare — we are a leader in the country to ensure — others might laugh at that, but when you have two children and you are paying $900 per child for childcare, before this deal, certainly my constituents don’t think that’s a laughing matter,” Pillai said.

“We had paid sick leave in place, and thanks to our agreement and collaboration with the NDP, we are now looking at a territory-wide dental plan. We think that all of those things are going to make life more affordable for Yukoners.”

Dixon reminded Pillai his question had concerned fuel prices.

“This is one of the biggest issues in the country right now, and it’s clear that it’s not even remotely considered in the budget. We are not even a week into the legislative sitting, and this budget is already stale and out of touch with the real challenges facing Yukoners,” said the Yukon Party leader.

“Will the Liberal government here in Yukon consider pausing on the collection of the fuel tax to help Yukoners with the staggering cost of fuel?”

In response, Pillai said Yukoners should realize that up until Monday, the territory had the lowest gas tax in the country — just over six per cent.

“Yes, there was an announcement by the Alberta government, and that was to eliminate the tax on gas in Alberta. I think that they are in a favourable position. We have just seen the revenue in their budget almost double with the inflation of oil, and they also have a government that’s under a lot of pressure, and there could be decisions being made for political reasons under the current circumstances.”

The Yukon government will continue to “monitor and adapt,” Pillaid said.

“We believe — and the economists whom I have reached out to over the last number of days and who really support political thinking across the spectrum, are thinking that there are some moves this week that are more boutique items that are driven by political decisions, rather than good policy decisions, and that’s why we’re going to continue to monitor the situation,” the minister said.

Dixon fired back with “the premier likes to point out that the surplus gives the flexibility to respond to emerging issues.

“Well, this is certainly an emerging issue that is affecting just about each and every Yukoner. The government could waive the fuel tax for the year and make life just that much more affordable for Yukon citizens.”

Premier Sandy Silver said he found it “interesting that the Yukon Party has finally woken up to inflation. We have seen rates that have concerned us since August, with no questions from the opposition all fall about inflation, and now it seems like political expedience has them finally to a place where they are actually concerned about this, so that is interesting.”

Per litre of gasoline, the tax is 6.2 cents in the Yukon, 27 cents in B.C. and was 13 cents in Alberta before it was rescinded, Silver said.

“When the members opposite scoff about the initiatives in this budget — keeping those prices low for Yukoners — that is horrible. The early childhood care and learning investment is massive for keeping the price for Yukoners down low for the quality of life that they enjoy here,” the premier added.

“The retrofits programs that are in this budget are not things just for political reasons in the last month or couple of weeks now that these folks are back to work; it has been important to us for five years of budgeting.”