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The Gas Tax Holiday Ends in 24 Days — Here's the Real Math on What You'll Save

  Published August 14, 2026 Ottawa's fuel excise tax suspension shuts off September 7. Here's what it's actually been worth at the pump, what changes the next morning, and who should plan a fill-up before Labour Day. The Countdown The federal fuel excise tax returns to full rate on September 8, 2026 — that's 24 days from today. Prices reset to their pre-April 20 rate the moment the clock hits midnight. If you've noticed gas feeling a little less painful since spring, that wasn't your imagination. On April 20, 2026, Ottawa suspended the federal fuel excise tax — 10 cents a litre off gasoline, 4 cents off diesel — as Middle East oil-supply disruptions pushed pump prices toward $2 a litre in some cities. The suspension, passed as part of Bill C-30, has been running for nearly four months. It ends September 7, inclusive. On September 8, the tax comes right back. What the holiday actually saved you The headline number — 10 cents a litre on gas — undersells it sligh...
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Europe Ablaze: Wildfires and Record Heat Grip the Continent

 

Burning trees are pictured during a wildfire in Carcastillo, northern Spain, Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025.


As Europe endures one of its most punishing summers in recent history, wildfires have erupted across multiple countries, fueled by relentless heatwaves and dry conditions. Temperatures have soared past 40°C (104°F) in regions from Spain to Turkey, prompting mass evacuations and straining emergency services.

A Continent Under Fire

  • Spain: Fires have ravaged areas near Madrid and across Castile and Leon, Andalusia, and Galicia. A man tragically died from burns sustained in a blaze, and thousands were evacuated from homes and tourist hotspots like Tarifa.
  • Portugal: Over 700 firefighters are battling a major fire in Trancoso, with additional blazes threatening northern regions.
  • Turkey: In Canakkale province, strong winds spread flames from farmland to residential areas, forcing 2,000 evacuations and hospitalizing dozens due to smoke exposure.
  • France: Southern regions are under the highest heat alert, with temperatures exceeding 40°C for consecutive days. Fires continue to smolder in Aude, where a deadly blaze last week scorched thousands of hectares.
  • Greece and the Balkans: Zakynthos island and parts of Albania and Montenegro face evacuations as wildfires intensify amid high winds and extreme heat.

Climate Crisis Intensifies Scientists warn that Europe is warming at twice the global average, making it increasingly vulnerable to extreme weather events. The European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service reports that last year was the hottest on record for the continent, and 2025 is on track to be among the top three globally.

Human Toll and Urgency The heatwave has already claimed lives, including a four-year-old boy in Italy and a seasonal worker in Spain. Officials across Europe are issuing red alerts, opening cooling centers, and urging residents to stay indoors. As one Portuguese mayor put it: “We are being cooked alive, this cannot continue”.

This unfolding crisis underscores the urgent need for climate action, infrastructure adaptation, and international cooperation to combat the growing threat of heat-driven disasters.


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