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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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US and Ukraine Draft Refined Peace Framework Amid War Tensions

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio talks to reporters after closed-door talks on a US plan to end the war, in Geneva, Switzerland. 

The United States and Ukraine have announced progress on a “refined peace plan” aimed at ending Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine. Following high-stakes talks in Geneva, officials from both nations confirmed that they had updated Washington’s earlier 28-point proposal, which Kyiv and its European allies had criticized as overly favorable to Moscow.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that any compromise must “strengthen, not weaken” Ukraine, rejecting concessions that would legitimize Russia’s territorial claims. The refined framework reportedly incorporates Ukraine’s own points, addressing concerns that the original draft resembled a Kremlin wish list.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the Geneva meetings as “highly productive”, noting that significant progress had been made, though details remain scarce. Washington has pressed Kyiv to endorse the plan quickly, raising pressure on Zelenskyy as Ukraine faces mounting battlefield and political challenges.

European allies have cautiously welcomed the talks but warned that major issues remain unresolved, particularly regarding NATO’s role and security guarantees for Ukraine. Meanwhile, Russia has been excluded from the discussions, leaving uncertainty over whether Moscow would accept any eventual agreement.

The push for a peace framework comes as Ukraine endures renewed Russian airstrikes, underscoring the urgency of negotiations. While optimism has grown in Washington, Kyiv insists that Russia must “pay fully” for its aggression, including through the use of frozen Russian assets.

The Geneva talks mark a pivotal moment in the war’s trajectory. Whether this refined plan can bridge the gap between Ukraine’s sovereignty demands and US diplomatic pressure remains to be seen. For now, the framework represents a fragile step toward ending Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War II.


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