Gas, diesel prices up in N.L. as federal carbon tax takes effect

Canada's new federal carbon tax is on the books as of Saturday, bringing up the price of gas and diesel in Newfoundland and Labrador.

The Public Utilities Boardincreased the maximum price of gas Saturday by 3.8cents per litre. Much of the increase is due tothe removal of the provincial carbon tax in favour of the federal tax, sai dthe board in a press release.

The removal of the provincial tax means 11 cents per litre is coming off gasoline and diesel,but the federalcarbon tax adds 14 cents per litre.

The change raises the maximum price of gasoline to around $1.66per litre on the Avalon Peninsula. Prices range from $1.66to $1.83per litre across the rest of Newfoundland, and between $1.69and $2.12 per litrein Labrador.

Diesel increased by 4.6cents per litre. Prices for the fuel in Newfoundland now range from between$1.66to $1.78per litre, while customers in Labrador will pay between $1.73and $2.41per litre.

No other fuels are affected by Saturday's adjustment.The prices of home heating fuels will be adjusted at the next scheduled update, on Thursday. The carbon tax is expected to increase the price of those fuels by around 17 cents per litre, in addition toHST.

Federal clean fuel regulations also come into effect Saturday, but the PUB says any adjustment to the price of carbon will come next week.

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