Photo by Whitehorse Star
MLA Stacey Hassard
Yukon Party pumps Liberals for gas tax break
The Yukon Party’s attack on the government over fuel prices hasn’t run out of gas yet.
The Yukon Party’s attack on the government over fuel prices hasn’t run out of gas yet.
Last Thursday, MLA Stacey Hassard struck back at the government over the issue once more.
“So, the skyrocketing price of fuel is crushing Yukoners and pushing them further into debt,” he told the house.
“On Feb. 23 of this year, diesel fuel was $1.612 per litre here in Whitehorse, and (Thursday), that price has jumped to $1.99 a litre.”
(The price of gas has remained at $179.9 a litre at most local outlets through today.)
“That’s an increase of 38.7 cents a litre on diesel in just two weeks,” Hassard said.
“It’s clear that this year’s budget did not even contemplate this runaway inflation crisis. There is simply no plan to help Yukoners.
“If the government doesn’t adapt soon, Yukoners are going to suffer.”
Luckily, it’s not too late, Hassard said.
“The government can still do the right thing. They can drop the fuel tax in the territory and help Yukoners to continue to afford the necessities.
“The great thing is that they can do it and still be in a surplus, so will the government do the right thing and agree to drop the fuel tax?”
Premier Sandy Silver, who is also the Finance minister, responded to Hassard.
“I disagree with the member opposite in that there is nothing in this budget that contemplates inflation,” he said.
“Unlike the Yukon Party, which has now just woken up to this, we have been paying attention to these increases for over a year now. This has been going on in our budgets for five years now — making sure we provide a budget that ensures Yukoners have the most affordable lives in Canada. We do, actually, a lot about that.”
The territory is in a good place right now, he said. Earlier that day, he said, he conversed with all of the premiers, comparing the actions they’re taking against inflation.
“We, right now, have the fourth-lowest cost of fuel at the pump compared to the average. We are making endeavours in every department to make sure that lives are affordable for all Yukoners.
“We’re going to continue to do that, whether it’s universal childcare, which the opposition will scoff at and laugh at, or whether it’s making sure that every dollar of a Yukon-made carbon-pricing mechanism is returned to Yukoners, which, again, the members opposite flip-flop back and forth on.”
Hasssard was more than ready with a rejoinder.
“We are not in a good place when it comes to fuel prices. The skyrocketing price isn’t just making life difficult for everyday Yukoners; it’s going to harm the struggling tourism industry as well.
“Tourism operators have already started planning and booking based upon a certain price for fuel. Not only that, but our tourism industry also relies heavily on highway traffic.”
Soaring fuel prices will “send shockwaves through the economy,” he warned.
Silver said the government is “very concerned” about fuel prices.
“But for the member opposite to say that there is only one thing that we can possibly do to make lives more affordable for Yukoners, I completely disagree with that. We are working extremely hard on this. We have for five budgets in a row. We have a balanced budget because of that.
“We’ve offered some of the best programs for businesses during the pandemic, and we’ll continue to be there for businesses.”
The Yukon Party is suggesting options to him, Hassard said.
Last week, he said, Economic Development Minister Ranj Pillai “said helping out Yukoners in the tourism industry who are struggling as a result of the skyrocketing fuel prices is just a boutique policy.
“Well, one local business owner reached out to me after that and said that the minister should pay his fuel bill for a week and tell him that it’s just boutique.
“The minister’s answer doesn’t cut it, and it’s out of touch with Yukoners,” Hassard said.
“People are in debt, people are struggling, and they are looking for the government to help.
“If he needs another example, here it is: On February 23, diesel fuel was $1.84 in Beaver Creek; (Thursday) morning when we checked, it had skyrocketed to $2.35.9 a litre in that community. That’s 51 cents in two weeks.
“So, will the government stop being stubborn and just waive the fuel tax for a year to help people get by?”
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Comments (22)
Up 1 Down 1
Anie on Mar 20, 2022 at 4:43 pm
Yukoner32, your analysis of how the carbon tax works is not correct. You neglected to mention that the refund is tied to income. That little fact completely trashed your explanation.
Up 1 Down 2
Yukoner32 on Mar 19, 2022 at 2:26 pm
@Groucho There is no fund you speak of, it is all rebated back to businesses and people. Please see my last comment for how it works. It does not fund green initiatives or literally anything else. It is a green program because it makes it increasingly expensive to those who burn the most C02 while increasing the payout to people who burn the least. It's up to you to decide how or if you reduce your emissions and save money. It's the most market friendly solution out there because it allows the individual or business the ability to figure out how best to reduce their emissions/save money. The alternative is heavy regulations that start to ban certain types of engines, fuels, appliances, - basically government telling you exactly what you can and can't do. Or I guess we could do nothing and pretend global warming is just normal as the earth goes to hell.
Up 4 Down 1
Groucho d'North on Mar 19, 2022 at 10:04 am
I believe its time for an independent audit of the Carbon Tax. Is it doing what it was planned to do? How much money has been collected and invested in green energy? How are those investments working to acheive the objectives? Is the payback scheme working as designed because I don't believe I am recieving the return tax benefits as advertised.
I say again, I believe this whole carbon tax scheme is nothing but a slush fund that does not suffer scrutinizing and accountability by oversight bodies.
Also the Prime Misery does not pay these same taxes he has imposed on Canadians. His transportation is provided as a perk of the job, whether its riding in the low fuel efficient limos (and there are normally four limos in the group when he does go somewhere), or flying around the world in the government's Airbus 310-300. He does not buy fuel for these machines so ergo he does not pay Carbon Tax like the rest of us. Even in the residence provided as another perk of the job, he does not pay for its heating and again no Carbon Tax paid out of his pocket. He does not walk the talk.
As Mel Brooks told us: Its good to be the king.
Up 3 Down 5
Yukoner32 on Mar 17, 2022 at 9:40 pm
@Jim "I don't have a family doctor", therefore the government is not spending more on healthcare. That's quite the logic my friend. I bet you tell people it's not raining when you are standing under an umbrella as well. Maybe there are more nurses or more long term care beds? How do you know there aren't? I'm just going by the budget highlight I read that showed a big increase in healthcare spending (as well as in Education).
When you say 'the BS about everyone getting back what they pay in' are you saying that the government is keeping the carbon tax money? I don't understand how so many people are confused by how the carbon tax works. But I'll try and explain it to you. Yes, everyone will pay into it either directly or indirectly, but everyone will also get a rebate. the rebate will be X amount per person and if you pay less than X amount per year in fuel taxes, then you end up making money from the carbon tax. If you pay more than X per year, you lose money. So all of the money collected ends up being circulated back into the economy. It is perfectly logical and just, for people who produce the most C02 to also pay the most in carbon taxes. If people want to save money, they can find ways to cut down on their emissions. As I said, drive a smaller or more efficient vehicle, don't buy a massive house that you need to heat for 2 people, don't buy massive gas guzzler toys etc etc. But if you do decide to live high on the hog and contribute much more to climate change, then you should pay more for it. The same should go for most things in life. If you are a bigger part of the problem, you should be a bigger part of the solution.
Up 4 Down 6
Jim on Mar 17, 2022 at 1:29 pm
@Yukoner32, so you believe the story that the government feeds you? Take for example on the Liberal/NDP rent control which they are now limiting to 3.3% which in their opinion is the rate of inflation. Government of Canada is putting it at 5.7%. If you’ve been to the grocery store, gas station, lumberyard or filled up your heating oil tank I think you might even question that. Just because people are working does not mean they can afford this. Just the carbon tax alone on heating oil and gas will make up about $.15 a litre after April 1st. But I guess you believe Sandy’s BS about everyone getting back what they pay in. You do realize everything shipped into the Yukon will have an increase because of spiked fuel prices. As far a major health care investments, maybe you can elaborate. I for one have been on the list for a family doctor for ongoing 2 years. They have done nothing to increase doctors, nurses, walk-in clinics, expand care facilities for the next pandemic wave. But now they manage to squander 2 billion dollars on looking after themselves. Maybe we should give them a raise for being so truthful and efficient.
Up 1 Down 8
stephen on Mar 16, 2022 at 3:55 pm
What they should do is tax the hell out of the companies profits. I'd give them 35% profit and anything over that gets taxed at 70%.
That is an easy solution for oil companies. I would also go after banks the same way.
Up 10 Down 7
Liberalism Kills! on Mar 16, 2022 at 11:36 am
Dear Snowman - It is clear that that the pollutants in your snowflakes have contaminated your thinking. Scientists are on the verge of isolating the radioactive Liberal isotope. The hope is to find new ways cure or dampen the impact of Liberal poisoning. It aggressively targets the structures connected involved in the HPA loop. Researchers have hypothesized that there are no effective treatments for late stage Liberalism. Consequently, late stage Liberalism is ‘progressive’ and causes permanent executive dysfunction. The afflicted will create conflict in social relationships through idealization of one person or group of persons while demonizing the other. This will produce non sequiturs, illogic, contradiction, chaos, societal level conflict, polarization, radicalization, and apathy amongst those who are subjugated by the demented, political whimsies, of those who have the Liberalism isotope.
But anyway, there are currently no electric vehicles or hybrids suitable to the rigours of Northern outdoor living. They make sense for those who wish to forgo the commons (the wild outdoors) for the comfort of a trip to Starbucks for a white chocolate mocha to sip on as they go about their shopping. Aside from that concern there is the “fact” that these so-called green-technologies are much more destructive to the planet than the combustion fuel industry. But hey, you live that fantasy and don’t look back. Make sure your Lulu Lemons are not to tight, your latte is not to cold and not to hot, and that you get a good sale price on those new shoes, while adopting phrases like: you’re awesome, you’re killing it, or you go girl… Nice.
Up 11 Down 0
Groucho d'North on Mar 16, 2022 at 9:53 am
@Snowman
Thanks for the engineering lesson. I formerly worked as a licenced mechanic and I have optimised the perfomance and fuel consumption of my vehicles, one now gets 55/MPG (5.14 Liters per 100 km). My motivation is not to save the world but to save my income by not buying un-needed fuel.
I have been researching electric vehicles for a few years now as I am supportive of the simplified engineering of electric vs internal combustion power. Electric has way fewer moving parts to wear out that require replacement so O&M should be lower over time. Emissions from the vehicle do not exist but there is still the disposal of the consumptive parts like batteries and control systems. I will not buy a vehicle based on the lowest price, especially when the industry is still in its infancy and R&D continues to improve the technology and ultimately the end products. I will buy an EV eventually, but there is still plenty of efficient fuel consumption remaining in my existing vehicles which I expect will keep rolling for a long time yet. I have invested to make my vehicles fuel efficient and reliable so I can be stingy and enjoy their performance over their lifetimes.
`When the world is running down, you make the best of what`s still around.
Up 2 Down 13
Nathan Living on Mar 15, 2022 at 3:06 pm
I think the City of Whitehorse should establish a Committee that deals with our high fuel prices.
Up 7 Down 14
Snowman on Mar 15, 2022 at 2:24 pm
@Groucho First of all, some electric cars have come down to about 40K, so I'm not sure where you are getting the 60K number. Second, going electric isn't the only way to save fuel. The majority of people in Yukon own trucks, so something as simple as switching to a car (especially for people who live and work in Whitehorse) would save a ton of money on fuel. People could also reconsider buying big gas guzzler toys.
So it is not "Buy a $60k electric car or nothing" as you falsely claim. Though even if that were the case, look at all the people driving brand new $80k trucks around town. Clearly the money is there.
Up 24 Down 8
comen sense on Mar 15, 2022 at 12:48 pm
When I think of Trudeau taking his private large plane overseas, I wonder if he for a minute felt any guilt of the amount of carbon that was made for his tour. Did he bring some weaponry and supplies for the people or just brought a traditional Ukrainian dress-up costume.
Up 20 Down 9
Groucho d'North on Mar 15, 2022 at 12:26 pm
Liberal logic: Can't afford the high cost of gas? Buy a $60K electric car.
Yup, they are running our country and territory.
More is the pity.
Up 10 Down 13
Yukoner32 on Mar 14, 2022 at 9:40 pm
@John "All this crap about a hot economy is BS. My fellow entrepreneurs, that I talk to, say it just ain't so."
Ah yes, so we should not believe the stats because the civil servants are all fudging the numbers eh? Instead we should believe your anecdotal evidence about talking to some guy - haha. Housing prices, another indicator, are through the roof. Many businesses are desperate for workers, so yet another sign. And because you put a lot of weight into anecdotal evidence, here is something for you: Ross Mercer, who has every motive to make the govt look bad since he launched the lawsuit over covid, was in this paper not long ago admitting that he and the exploration industry had one of their best years last year. So is he lying too? The Coffee Gold mine was just approved as well, but that must be a lie as well.
Perhaps you should take off your crazy partisan blinders that are making you believe conspiracies instead of just admitting the truth which is that our economy is doing great, people who own their homes have amazing equity for the most part right now and I think there is a record amount of money being plowed into healthcare. Things will never be perfect, but they are pretty darn good right now, so be careful what you wish for. Putting the 'old boys club' back in power could very well jeopardize all of this.
Up 21 Down 4
Max Mack on Mar 14, 2022 at 6:22 pm
Spiralling inflation is already here, largely driven by the spiking fuel costs identified in this story. Those costs are expected to continue to rise, especially with the looming increase in carbon taxes.
But, you haven't seen nothing yet.
The US-led Western alliance's self-destructive determination to strangle Russia is going to cost us dearly at the pumps.
Up 15 Down 9
Liberalism Kills! on Mar 14, 2022 at 6:22 pm
If you support the taxes and the Liberal grift you’re an idiot! Aside from the appearance and pretense of Liberalism do you know what else Liberals and fascists have in common - TAXES!
You should meet my friend Ray Tardid if you think these taxes are for the benefit of a strong and healthy Canada in which you are included - They have already told you that you will own nothing and be happy!
Are you happy now millennials? Or is this a case of misery lives company?
Just one more way in which contemporary Liberalism has become perverted to embrace the Schtick of fascism, Trudeau’s love for basic dictatorships, you know, like the one in China.
Tic, toc, tik, tok, TikTok…. It’s later than you think!
Up 16 Down 1
Kat Zrum on Mar 14, 2022 at 6:11 pm
I have never understood why diesel is always higher or the same as gas. It should be lower. The only reason I can think of is that diesel us used as fuel in the winter. Question is why are vehicles paying more.
Up 19 Down 8
bonanzajoe on Mar 14, 2022 at 5:37 pm
"Silver said the government is “very concerned” about fuel prices." But, like his bro JT in Ottawa, he just rambles on about nothing on how to fix the problem. And like both, they think Canadians are just plain ignorant, naive and stupid. I hope the voters have good memories in the next election.
Up 19 Down 57
BnR on Mar 14, 2022 at 4:23 pm
Seriously Stacey?
If $6 on a 100 litre fill up is the tipping point for going bust or not, get a better job.
This is always the YP solution, throw more gov money at it. And that’s odd for the party that supposedly represents rugged individualists who want smaller government and less spending.
Up 48 Down 16
John on Mar 14, 2022 at 4:17 pm
Stacey, you might as well yell into the wind. You will never get through to these people. They neither care, nor want to care. It is a wonder they haven't said "feed them cake" yet. Perhaps next week.
All this crap about a hot economy is BS. My fellow entrepreneurs, that I talk to, say it just ain't so. The only businesses making money are the retail outlets, and that is only due to the big money that government people have to spend. Wait till the mining season starts (if it starts). High fuel costs will have the ring of despair.
I don't give a rat's ass what is going on down south, nor should they. We have a micro economy that relies heavily on fossil fuels, and will do so for many a decade to come. Get your damn head out of the sand Pillai (actually I think a better name would be Pillage!).
Up 61 Down 15
YUKONER on Mar 14, 2022 at 3:33 pm
Call an election
Up 22 Down 54
Politico on Mar 14, 2022 at 2:23 pm
If the Liberals don't take the gas tax off the YP will criticize. If the Liberals take it off the YP will scream fiscal irresponsibility! Nice to know the YP will be "outraged" no matter what the Liberals do!
Up 19 Down 44
BonfireJim on Mar 14, 2022 at 2:19 pm
I see no issue with the taxes. We all live and participate in Society right? We are all represented at the Polls when you go vote? It seems pretty clear that there should be no issues at all with it. People like to whine all the time but won't commit to taxing the rich more, which would easily cheapen life for your everyday joe.