The Saskatchewan NDP was unsuccessful in its attempt to ax the gas tax today in the legislature.

As their first order of business during the short fall sitting, the Official Opposition proposed an emergency motion to cut the 15-cent-per-litre gas tax for six months, but to no avail, as the reigning Sask. Party government blocked the motion.

The cut was brought up by NDP Finance Critic Trent Wotherspoon at Question Period, prior to the proposal. Finance Minister Jim Reiter was clear on the stance of the Sask. Party.

“We are not going to support the gas tax cut Mr. Speaker because it’s temporary. Long-term, permanent cuts to income tax will let people keep more money in their own pocket to choose what they do with their own money…We think that’s the way to move forward on this.”

He added that the gas tax collections are used to maintain the province’s highways. He asked Wotherspoon if he’d cut the province’s highway budget.

“No, we wouldn’t cut the highways budget. We’d cut the mismanagement, scandals and waste from the Sask. Party Government,” Wotherspoon retorted.

The gas taxes in Alberta, Ontario, Manitoba and Newfoundland and Labrador have already been cut.