Legault says he is “open” to an increase in the gasoline tax in eastern Quebec

Photo: Ryan Remiorz The Canadian Press Such an increase has already been approved, notably in Gaspésie, recalled François Legault, adding that for the sake of “fairness,” he was “open” to authorizing the same thing in the Lower St. Lawrence.

Isabelle Porter in Quebec City

Published yesterday at 2:45 p.m. Updated yesterday at 10:24 p.m.

• Quebec City

After initially being reluctant, the Legault government is opening the door to an increase in the gas tax in the Bas-Saint-Laurent region to fund public transit services.

At a press briefing Thursday in Rimouski, Premier François Legault said he was “open” to this proposal after discussing the issue the day before with local elected officials. Such an increase has already been approved in Gaspésie, he recalled, adding that, for the sake of “fairness,” he was “open” to authorizing the same thing in the neighbouring region. “Obviously, it will be the choice of the municipalities. But, for the sake of fairness, I am open to looking at it.”

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The Bas-Saint-Laurent Transport Authority wants to increase the fuel tax by $0.02 per litre. This increase would allow it to add several local public transit routes at set times between cities in the region.

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The gas tax currently stands at $0.19 per litre.

To put its project into practice execution, the Bas-Laurentian transport authority needs the approval of the Quebec government. But the latter had refused in the past, recommending instead the use of a registration tax.

The Coalition avenir Québec has traditionally opposed tax increases, particularly on gasoline. Ironically, the only elected member of the party to have advocated the opposite for fuel is the resigning minister Pierre Fitzgibbon.

Rather than act on this front, the government decided in December 2023 to give cities new powers so that they can raise the registration tax. In Montreal, this should result in an increase of $59 to $150 in the bill starting in January 2025.