Ford extends gas tax cut, remains mum on reinstating mask mandates

A temporary tax cut intended to help Ontario residents save money at the pumps will be extended for another year, the province’s premier announced on Sunday.

Doug Ford said his government intends to table legislation that would leave the tax break that cut gas prices by 5.7 cents a litre in place until the end of 2023. The cut first went into effect on July 1 and was originally due to expire on Dec. 31.

“We know that every dollar helps,” said Ford, speaking at a gas station in Toronto’s west end. “And this gas tax cut is another way we’re delivering savings to Ontario households.”

Ford cited inflation and global economic uncertainty as reasons behind the extension, which will also maintain a 5.3-cents-per-litre reduction in the price of diesel fuel.

Ford estimated the tax breaks would save households an average of $195 over the entire 18-month course of the price reduction.

The province’s rate of tax on gas and diesel will remain at 9 cents per litre until the end of 2023.

The opposition NDP said the premier should be addressing the struggles Ontarians are having when it comes to grocery, housing, and utility costs instead of doubling down on what it called a “gas tax scheme.”

“Instead of helping folks afford basics like food and heating, Doug Ford is doubling down on a gas tax scheme that doesn’t even guarantee drivers will see so much as a penny in savings,” said interim leader Peter Tabuns.

“We should be bringing back and expanding real rent control. We should be doubling social assistance rates. We should be helping people curb their natural gas bills. We should be taking on greedy corporations that are using the guise of inflation to gouge people.”

The legislation enshrining the tax cut is due to be tabled on Monday alongside the province’s fall economic statement.

Recent findings from Ontario’s financial watchdog suggest the province is in good financial shape.

A report two weeks ago from the Financial Accountability Office projects budget surpluses for the foreseeable future.

It’s forecasting a $100-million surplus at the end of this fiscal year, and an $8.5-billion surplus in 2027-28.

Ford took issue with those numbers on Sunday.

“That’s a snapshot in time,” he said. “It’s just not accurate.”

Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy announced in September that Ontario ended the last fiscal year with a $2.1-billion surplus, a far cry from the $33-billion deficit projected in the budget, thanks to inflation and a strong economy.

Should Ontario reinstate mask mandates?

Ford was also asked about the issue of mask mandates on Sunday.

Dr. Kieran Moore, Ontario’s top doctor, will recommend Monday that the public begin masking in an effort to help overwhelmed children’s hospitals, however he will stop short of reinstating a mask mandate, according to government sources.

“I encourage every single person when possible [to mask], especially people with respiratory problems,” said Ford, adding he would follow the advice of Dr. Moore when it comes to mask mandates.

“What I heard from the docs yesterday, a big problem are the kids that aren’t in school – the four and unders.”

Infectious disease specialist Dr. Isaac Bogoch says COVID is not entirely to blame when it comes to the current crisis being felt by pediatric ICU’s and emergency rooms, pointing to a sharp rise in Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) among children.

“If look at COVID-related hospitalization among children in Ontario right now the rates are pretty low. Still COVID is here, and COVID’s a problem. It disproportionately impacts older populations,” explained Bogoch. “(RSV) is a nasty infection, it’s a very common cause of pediatric illness and pediatric visits to emergency departments.”

When asked about the critical pediatric bed shortages, Ford said its not an issue of money when it comes to increasing bed capacity.

“We’re pouring billions and billions of dollars into the system. There’s also a strain on Tylenol and Advil, which the federal government has to step in.”

Cynthia Mulligan contributed to this report