Ontario Premier Doug Ford asked Prime Minister Mark Carney to extend the federal gas tax holiday until at least the end of the year.

Ford wrote that now is not the time to bring back the federal fuel tax on gas and diesel due to high housing and grocery prices.

Carney removed the 10-cent federal tax on a liter of gas and 4 cents per liter on diesel until September 7.

Carney said this move will help Canadians with short-term financial pressures caused by high oil prices. The tax cut is expected to cost $2.4 billion. Carney wants to help Canadians during this difficult time. The tax cut will last until September 7. The government hopes this will help people afford gas.

Carney suspended the federal fuel tax on gas, diesel, and aviation fuel.

Oil prices are over $100 US per barrel.

In 2022, the Ford government cut taxes on gas and diesel to help people afford fuel.

The tax cut made the provincial tax rate on gas and diesel 9 cents per liter, which saves households about $115 per year.

The tax reduction was made permanent last year.

Ford asked Carney to extend the federal fuel tax holiday until January 1 and make it permanent like Ontario's.

The federal Conservatives have been asking the government to extend the tax holiday until the end of the year.

Ford and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre agree on this issue, which is rare.

Ford and Poilievre have had a strained relationship for years.

A B.C. Conservative leader disagreed with Poilievre's approach.

Experts say the disagreement among Conservatives hurts Poilievre's image as a unifier.

Poilievre wants the government to remove the GST from gas and diesel and scrap clean fuel regulations.

Poilievre said Canadians already pay more for gas than Americans and the government should not increase taxes.

Poilievre said these taxes affect not just drivers but also people who buy groceries and other products.

A spokesperson for the Finance Minister would not say if the government will extend the tax holiday.

The government said it will work with provinces to improve affordability and respond to the challenging global economy.