Opposition hammers Feds on fuel crisis

Canadian Alliance leader Stockwell Day used his first ever floor opportunity in the House of Commons yesterday to attack the Liberal government in its refusal to cut fuel taxes.

Day criticized Prime Minister Jean Chretien for being out of touch with average Canadians who rely on fuel as part of their livelihoods and called on Chretien to allow his MPs to freely vote on the issue. Tory leader Joe Clark went even further, asking for a plan to cut 50% in the excise tax on diesel fuel to two cents a litre.

Chretien reiterated what the government has been saying all week-that unless all the provinces also get on board, the Feds have no intention of lowering taxes at this time.
However, reports indicate the Liberal government has been hinting at a possible relief in the price of heating oil.