SASKATOON, SK: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is calling on Premier Scott Moe to cut the provincial gas tax as fuel prices jump across Saskatchewan.

“Moe can give families a break today by cutting the gas tax,” said Gage Haubrich, CTF Prairie Director. “The government shouldn’t be increasing the pain at the pump by charging high fuel taxes on top of high prices.

“Saskatchewan is charging higher gas taxes than all of its provincial neighbours.”

The price of gasoline in Saskatchewan jumped by about 15 cents per litre since March 1.

The Saskatchewan government charges the highest provincial gas tax in Western Canada. Saskatchewan charges drivers 15 cents per litre of gasoline in tax. British Columbia charges drivers 14.5 cents per litre in most of the province, Alberta charges 13 cents per litre and Manitoba charges 12.5 cents.

A Saskatchewan family pays about $11 in the provincial gas tax every time they fill up a minivan and about $15 when they fill up a pick-up truck.

Over the course of a year, that family will pay about $663 in gas taxes when filling up their vehicles once every two weeks.

About 21 per cent of the total price at the pumps in Saskatchewan is taxes.

The government of Newfoundland and Labrador recently committed to make its 8.05 cents per litre gas tax cut permanent.

“Cutting taxes is the easiest way to make life more affordable,” Haubrich said. “Saskatchewan families need to fill up their vehicles to get to work and take their kids to school. The government shouldn’t be making that fill up more expensive with gas taxes.”