WINNIPEG, MB: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is calling on Premier Wab Kinew to extend his gas tax cut and keep Manitoba families saving on fuel before it expires on Dec. 31.

“Kinew needs to extend the gas tax cut to protect Manitobans from a New Year’s tax hike,” said Gage Haubrich, CTF Prairie Director. “Manitoba families are saving hundreds of dollars because of the fuel tax cut, the government can’t let them lose those savings.”

The Manitoba government initially cut the 14 cent per litre provincial fuel tax on gasoline and diesel for six-months starting on Jan. 1. After two extensions, the cut is now scheduled to expire at the end of December.

Because of the gas tax cut, people are saving about $10 every time they fill up a sedan or minivan. Drivers save about $13 every time they fill up a pick-up truck.

Manitoba’s fuel prices have been the lowest in the country since the cut.

A Manitoba family filling up a minivan and a pick-up truck once every two weeks will have saved about $587 over the course of the year-long cut.

Polling shows that among those who are decided on the issue, 81 per cent of Manitobans support another gas tax cut extension and 78 per cent support making the fuel tax cut permanent.

“Manitobans shouldn’t be forced to hold their breath waiting for higher fuel taxes during one of the most expensive times of the year,” Haubrich said. “Kinew needs to extend the gas tax cut, so Manitobans don’t wake up with a tax hike hangover on New Year’s Day.”