FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                                         May 26, 2022

WHITEHORSE – New numbers from the Yukon Bureau of Statistics show the Consumer Price Index in Whitehorse jumped 0.6 percent from March to April, and 5.8 percent year over year. The Bureau attributes the increase to the rising cost of fuels, including gasoline.

With the price of gasoline over $2 per litre and food costs going up, Yukoners are feeling the impact, with some being forced to change their food choices at the grocery store, and many reconsidering summer plans.

During the Spring Sitting of the Yukon Legislative Assembly, the Yukon Party Official Opposition called for the Liberals to suspend collection of the territorial fuel tax to help slow the rate of inflation. That action would result in over $9.5 million in tax relief.

According to Statistics Canada, the inflation rate in Alberta, which suspended its fuel tax on April 1, only increased 0.3 percent.

“Despite their claims to the contrary, territorial Liberals have failed to address the rising cost of goods, or take any meaningful action in response to inflation,” said Yukon Party Finance Critic Brad Cathers. “Due to Liberal inaction in response to inflation, Yukoners are now experiencing it worse than people in other parts of Canada.”

Instead of suspending or cutting their fuel tax as several provincial governments have done, the territorial Liberals called the idea of suspending the fuel tax a ‘boutique’ move, and the Premier dismissed this suggested tax relief as ‘parlour tricks’. Meanwhile, Yukon families and Yukon businesses continue to feel the impact and negative consequences of rising costs of food, fuel, and other essential purchases.

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Contact:
Tim Kucharuk
Press Secretary
(867) 393-7026