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10 Days Left: What the End of the Gas Tax Holiday Actually Costs You

  By MoneySavings.ca  |  August 28, 2026 The federal gas tax holiday ends in 10 days. Starting September 8, the 10-cent-per-litre federal excise tax on gasoline comes back — and diesel's 4-cent-per-litre tax returns with it. If you've gotten used to cheaper fill-ups since April, here's exactly what changes and what it'll cost you. What the Tax Holiday Actually Did Back in April, Ottawa suspended the federal fuel excise tax on gasoline, diesel, and aviation fuels to cushion Canadians from a spike in global oil prices tied to the Iran conflict. Since April 20, the federal excise rate on gasoline has sat at 0 cents per litre instead of the usual 10 cents. Diesel and aviation fuel taxes dropped to zero from their normal 4-cent rate. Finance Canada pegged the total relief at more than $2.4 billion over the year. That relief window closes September 7 — Labour Day — inclusive. On September 8, rates snap back to their standard levels: 10 cents/litre on gasoline, 4 cents/litre o...
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A Symbol of Hope: Tiny Christmas Tree Amidst Church Ruins in Lebanon

 

In the southern Lebanese town of Dardghaya, amidst the ruins of the 18th-century St. George Melkite Catholic Church, a tiny Christmas tree now stands as a symbol of hope and resilience. The church, devastated by an Israeli airstrike in October, once served as a vibrant community center. 

Georges Elia, a 40-year-old municipal worker and churchgoer, took it upon himself to bring some normalcy to the holiday season. "This year, Christmas is arriving with sadness for us, but we didn't want it to be a sad one for the town's residents and its church," Elia said. 

The modest tree, shorter than Elia himself, is decorated with a shining garland and a star. Despite the lack of lights and a traditional Nativity scene due to the war's destruction, the tree stands tall among the fallen stones and shattered pews. "But, of course, Christ is born in our hearts, lit with our love for him," Elia added.

The church's priest, Father Maurice el Khoury, who has served for 11 years, conducts Sunday Mass in a small underground room that once housed visiting bishops. "This room is more like the cave where Jesus was born," he said, reminding families of the true essence of the holiday season.

The community's faith remains unshaken, and despite the staggering financial toll of the damage, estimated at nearly $3 million, they continue to celebrate Christmas with hope and love.



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