B.C. Grain farmer speaks on suspension of fuel excise tax 

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — A northern B.C. grain farmer is raising concerns about gas prices ahead of planting season.  

Starting April 20th, 2026, Canadians will receive some relief at the pumps as the Federal Government takes steps to combat gas prices by temporarily suspending the fuel excise tax.

Gas prices have remained a topic of discussion over the past month, especially for farmers in the Peace River region. 

In an episode of This Week in the Peace, Malcolm Odermatt, president of the BC Grain Farmers Producers Association, said anything that helps lower the cost of fuel is a welcome sight.

“It’s a great thing to save a few cents a litre, because for our big tractor, when we’re seeding…you’re burning over 1,000 litres a day in just one tractor.”

Odermatt said while farmers elsewhere in B.C. can get away with using less fuel, farmers in the north have to use gas-powered vehicles. 

“Most farms in BC rely on manpower, but us up here, we rely on horsepower, and that means big motors that consume a lot of fuel.” 

According to Odermatt, farmers are spending extra to import oil and gas from overseas, rather than sourcing it locally.

“We [do] produce so much oil and gas in this area, but diesel is a globally traded product, so we go and pay the global price even though it can be produced right over in Alberta and refined in Edmonton.” 

The Department of Finance says the temporary suspension of the tax will provide over $2.4 billion in tax relief for Canadians in 2026. It also says the suspension of the tax is intended to address pressure on fuel prices due to global oil disruptions related to the Middle East conflict.  

The tax will be in effect from April 20th, 2026 to September 7th, 2026, at which point it will revert back to 10 cents per litre for gasoline and unleaded aviation gasoline and 4 cents per litre for diesel fuel and aviation fuel. 

To watch the full episode of This Week in the Peace, see below.