COLUMN: On Parliament Hill – Why are Canadians paying so much for diesel?

Canada is one of the world’s largest oil producers globally and possesses some of the largest proven oil reserves on the planet. Diesel fuel should not cost this much in Canada.

Yet, Canadians are paying the highest price ever for diesel fuel under this Liberal government.

When Prime Minister Mark Carney was given a minority government mandate by Canadians on April 28, 2025, Manitoba diesel was averaging $1.38 per litre. By the beginning of October 2026, prices in Manitoba are averaging $2.48 per litre— about $1.10 more per litre from last year. That’s an increase of approximately 80 percent.

This isn’t a minor increase; it is a significant cost inflicted on hardworking Canadians that keep our economy moving.

Diesel fuel is used for more than just filling the vehicles of Canadians. It powers most of the equipment and trucks that helps grow, harvest and deliver the food to supermarket shelves. It powers the trains that move our goods from coast to coast as well as the heavy equipment used to construct commercial buildings, roads, infrastructure, and homes for Canadians.

Remember, 56 percent of Canadians do not own a home nor expect they ever will, and 64 percent believe Canada’s housing system is broken. Which is why construction costs such as diesel fuel, are making the dream of homeownership out of reach for many Canadians.

When the cost of diesel goes up, Canadians pay more.

We are also seeing the impact right here in Provencher.

A recent article from Steinbach Online highlighted the strain on the Seine River School Division budget due to increased diesel prices. Seine River estimates that it will be approximately $300,000 over budget for transportation, adding increased pressure to their school bus system since 75 to 80 percent of their school buses run on diesel fuel. Provencher’s five school divisions include the largely rural Seine River Division, where longer rural travel distances drive higher transportation costs.

Canadians know that government cannot control the price of oil on the global market, or the instability on the world stage that interrupts international supply driving prices higher. But the Liberal government can alleviate red tape bureaucracy and excess taxes for Canadians.

Since the Liberal government took power in 2015, additional taxes and regulatory barriers have blocked investors and crippled Canada’s energy sector. Consequently, Canada is dependent on international markets which are vulnerable to disruption.

Additionally, Canada has no strategic petroleum reserves—and is the only G7 country without a government-mandated strategic oil stockpile. When other countries can rely on their own strategic reserves in an emergency, what does Canada have?

Last week, the G7 agreed to release 100 million barrels of stockpiled crude oil and diesel over the next four months to stabilize the market.

The Liberal government has agreed to be included in that production increase to help global supply, but does Canada not also need a domestic strategy in the event of a crisis?

Canada should be part of the solution, not a spectator. We have the resources, we have the workers, we have the technology, and we have the experience.

Conservatives have a plan to move Canada forward: cut taxes, remove unnecessary barriers, and get Canadian resources to market.

Because diesel isn’t a luxury. It fuels our farms, our trucks and the equipment that keeps this country moving.

When diesel costs more, Canadians pay more.

Canada has the resources. We have the workers. We have the opportunity

What Canadians need is for government to get out of the way—and allow resources to develop.

Canadian resources by Canadian workers for Canadian prosperity.