Leader of the Opposition Candice Bergen said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is purposely penalizing Canadians at the pumps because he wants to end Canada's energy sector. ."He is quite happy when gas prices soar," Bergen told the House of Commons on May 31.."The fact is that the carbon tax does nothing but increase the cost of gas and everything else. Still, the prime minister wants it because he wants high gas prices and he does not care that it is hurting Canadians.".The Canadian Fuels Association says, in 2021, crude oil made up 39% of the price for regular gasoline, followed by 35% for taxes, 20% for refining and 6% for distribution and marketing..Taxes are an average of 47 cents per litre at the pump in Canada. These taxes include federal and provincial taxes, and some municipalities charge an additional local tax. Gas prices at the pump are typically lower in the US because of the difference in taxes. Outside taxes, gasoline prices are similar across Canada..Bergen said Canadians paying excessively high gas prices is exactly what the prime minister wants..Canadian federal and provincial gas taxes are more than twice as high as those in the US. However, Trudeau blamed the war on Ukraine for Canadians' pinch at the pump.."The global pandemic and the inflation caused by Vladimir Putin's war on Ukraine have led to rising prices across the country and around the world," Trudeau said.."That is why we continue to be there to support families, with investments in child care, with increases to the CCB and with investments in supporting our seniors and young people.".Exceeding an average of $2 per litre, the cost of gas in Canada has set a all-time record high..Trudeau accused Bergen of attacking the price on pollution.."She perhaps forgets that $832 is what we send to families in Manitoba, on average, to help with the price of fuel," Trudeau concluded.
