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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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Hot Tea, High Stakes: California Man Wins $50 Million Lawsuit Against Starbucks

A California delivery driver, Michael Garcia, has been awarded $50 million in a lawsuit against Starbucks after suffering severe burns from a spilled tea. The incident occurred in February 2020 at a drive-through, where a venti-sized tea fell onto Garcia's lap, causing permanent and life-altering injuries.

Garcia's legal team argued that the scalding-hot tea was not securely placed in a takeout tray by a Starbucks employee, leading to the accident. The Los Angeles County jury sided with Garcia, holding Starbucks accountable for negligence. Garcia underwent multiple medical procedures, including skin grafts, due to the burns.

Starbucks has expressed sympathy for Garcia but plans to appeal the decision, calling the damages excessive. This case echoes past high-profile lawsuits involving hot beverages, such as the famous McDonald's coffee case in the 1990s.

The verdict serves as a reminder of the importance of safety standards in handling hot drinks, both for businesses and consumers.

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