he Honourable Tim Houston
Premier of Nova Scotia
Office of the Premier
Province House
P.O. Box 726
Halifax, NS B3J 2T3

Dear Premier Houston:

Re: Temporary Suspension of Provincial Gasoline and Diesel Tax

The Atlantic Chamber of Commerce urges the Government of Nova Scotia to temporarily suspend the provincial taxes on gasoline and diesel to provide immediate relief to businesses and households facing elevated fuel costs.

The federal government has already set its fuel excise tax to zero through January 31, 2027, while Prince Edward Island suspended its provincial fuel taxes effective September 26, 2026. Nova Scotia has not yet provided comparable temporary relief.

These costs extend well beyond the fuel pump. Nova Scotia is a critical transportation and trade gateway for Atlantic Canada, with trucking corridors connecting the region to New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Ontario, and the rest of Canada. Virtually every sector that depends on the movement of people and goods are affected by the cost of gasoline and diesel. Ultimately, higher transportation costs are reflected in the price of goods and services throughout the province and across the region.

Maintaining the full provincial fuel tax while other governments provide temporary relief places Nova Scotia businesses, carriers, and shippers at a relative cost disadvantage. This is particularly significant for a province whose economy depends on trade, transportation, tourism, and the efficient movement of goods through its communities and ports.

Chambers of Commerce and Boards of Trade have long advocated for policies that reduce the cost of doing business and support affordability while maintaining fiscal responsibility. A temporary, clearly defined suspension of the provincial fuel tax would provide targeted relief without creating a permanent fiscal commitment.

The Government of Nova Scotia has already recognized the importance of reducing fuel costs through its broader tax and affordability measures. A temporary suspension would build on that approach and provide additional relief at a time when transportation costs are placing pressure on businesses and households.

We therefore call on the Government of Nova Scotia to temporarily suspend the provincial taxes on gasoline and diesel for a defined period, aligned as closely as possible with the federal fuel-tax suspension through January 31, 2027.

A temporary provincial fuel-tax suspension would provide practical and immediate relief to Nova Scotians while supporting the competitiveness of businesses that depend on affordable transportation. It would also demonstrate that governments at all levels are prepared to take concrete action to reduce the cost pressures facing businesses and households.

Sincerely,

Vice President, Policy & Government Relations
Atlantic Chamber of Commerce