The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is applauding Manitoba NDP leader Wab Kinew’s commitment to cut gas taxes.

“Kinew is right to recognize that Manitobans need relief at the pumps now,” Gage Haubrich, CTF Prairie Director, said. “Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is making life more expensive with his carbon tax and the Manitoba government can cut the gas tax to make things cheaper for families.”

The average Manitoba family filling up a Nissan Maxima sedan once a week would save $215 over the six months of the proposed cut. Families would save $430 if the cut was to be extended for entire year. Minivan and truck owners would save even more.

Gas taxes currently make up 29 per cent of the pump prince in Manitoba. Provincial and federal taxes together cost 46 cents per litre of gasoline.

The federal carbon tax currently costs 14 cents per litre of gasoline. Even after the federal rebates, the carbon tax costs the average Manitoba family $386 this year, according to the Parliamentary Budget Officer. The Manitoba government also charges a gas tax of 14 cents per litre.

The provincial governments of Alberta, Ontario and Newfoundland and Labrador all cut gas taxes to save drivers money.

“Kinew rightly looks at other provinces that have cut gas taxes to make life more affordable,” Haubrich said. “Kinew could go even further and promise to permanently eliminate the gas tax.”