Government action lowers costs for Canadians now while building long-term affordability and resilience
The global landscape is shifting rapidly. In response, Canada's new government is focused on what we can control: building a stronger, more independent, and more resilient economy. That means taking practical action now to lower costs for Canadians, while making the long-term investments needed to strengthen our energy security, grow the economy, and build a more affordable future.
Ongoing global conflict and supply disruptions in the Middle East are driving up fuel prices worldwide. Canadians are feeling these pressures at the pump and at the checkout, as businesses face rising transportation costs. The federal government is responding on both fronts.
To provide immediate relief, we are taking practical steps to put more money back in Canadians' pockets. In that spirit, the Honourable Eleanor Olszewski, Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience and Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan), today highlighted that the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit one-time top-up will be issued to eligible Canadians on June 5, followed by enhanced ongoing payments for five years starting in July. This year, a family of four could receive up to $1,890 through the combined one‑time top‑up and increased benefit, providing meaningful help with groceries, household essentials, and other day‑to‑day expenses at a time when families are under pressure.
Minister Olszewski also highlighted the Government of Canada's decision to temporarily suspend the federal fuel excise tax on gasoline and diesel nationwide from April 20, 2026, to September 7, 2026. This measure is expected to reduce the cost of gasoline by up to 10 cents per litre and diesel by up to 4 cents per litre. The government is also temporarily suspending the federal fuel excise tax on aviation fuels.
In Alberta-where energy, transportation, and trade are central to the economy-this action will help ease cost pressures on workers, families, and businesses, while supporting continued growth across key sectors. Suspending the tax on gasoline and diesel until Labour Day is a responsible, targeted measure that will lower operating costs for truckers and for businesses in the food, agriculture, housing, construction, and delivery sectors. These savings will help businesses stay competitive, protect jobs, build with greater confidence, and move more Canadian goods to market.
At the same time, Canada's new government is acting for the long term to strengthen our energy security and reduce exposure to global shocks. We are advancing major projects to unlock Canada's full potential in both clean and conventional energy. We are building big in electricity, LNG, and nuclear to deliver clean, reliable, and affordable power. And through our memorandum of understanding with Alberta, we are working together to advance the infrastructure and collaboration needed to get more Canadian energy to market, support economic growth, and reinforce Canada's long-term resilience.
Canada's new government was elected to build a more resilient economy-one that creates good careers, strengthens our sovereignty, and helps Canadians get ahead. We are moving with speed and ambition to build a country where Canadians can count on greater certainty, security, and affordability.
