REGINA – An emergency motion by the PND to suspend the 15-cent-per-liter tax on gasoline fell quickly in the Legislature on Tuesday.

Opposition finance critic Trent Wotherspoon tried to bring the motion to the floor of the Assembly on the first day of debate. But Wotherspoon needed unanimous consent for that to happen, and the government side promptly expressed its disapproval, stopping the effort in its tracks.

Shortly after, Wotherspoon posted a video on social media saying “this Sask Party government has not changed at all. They closed the debate. They failed to support the motion. They continue to cost families more when they need support.”

Opposition Leader Carla Beck expressed her dismay to reporters in the Legislature.

“It was their choice to reject even the ability to discuss this emergency motion, something that, again, would have seen the people of Saskatchewan paying 15 cents less per liter at the pumps tomorrow,” said Beck.

“Something we have heard time and time again on the doorstep, that people are looking for real and tangible relief in a hurry in this province. You know, as I said today, this is a government that says it understands the challenges facing the people of Saskatchewan, that understands the need for change, but we’ve seen them, again, do what they’ve done for the last two. years, and this is a vote against this relief for the people of Saskatchewan.”

Premier Scott Moe explained his party’s rationale for opposing the gas tax freeze, pointing instead to the affordability measures his party proposed during the election campaign.

“Well, we campaigned on a suite of affordability measures, including the biggest income tax cut, the provincial income tax cut, since 2008, one that will take another 55,000 people off the tax rolls,” Moe said reporters. “And so what we’re very focused on today and through this session is delivering on the commitments that we made to the people of Saskatchewan, and those are commitments that we were elected to make. And so we’ll stay focused on that.”

Premier Moe added that there are “opportunities for us to work with the opposition on certain things”, pointing out that the federal carbon tax will rise from 17 cents to 21 cents in the spring.

“This should not happen. In a challenging cost of living environment that Canadians and Saskatchewan families are facing today, we should work together to ensure and support and work with the federal government, which is supported by the NDP, that this does not happen .”

The NDP criticized the Sask Party’s affordability measures for not providing immediate help, but Moe indicated that help could come sooner rather than later.

When asked when the provincial income tax cut could come into effect, Moe said “it could be as early as January and we’re trying to work with the federal government because they have some forms that will have to go to employers so to be able to inform employers to start discounting employee checks as soon as possible. So it’s an immediate relief, basically.”

Speaking to reporters, Beck justified the suspension of the gas tax because it provided immediate affordability relief for those who need it.

“The urgency grew and grew and grew. We continue to see people lose their homes to mortgage arrears. We continue to see people who, again, sell goods, people who choose not to pay for their medicine in favor of putting food on the table or paying the rent. There seems to be some lack of urgency on the part of the provincial government, very slow to even admit there was a problem. And again today in Parliament, I heard the Premier say, “Well, it’s the most affordable province in the country.” That’s not what we’re hearing from the people of Saskatchewan who, again, the number one issue at the door was “I need relief.” I need it now. I am faced with impossible decisions. That’s why I pushed so hard for this measure.”