The government says it’s already too deep in debt to provide relief from soaring fuel prices.

The Opposition continues to hammer away on the issue, insisting the province could ease the pain at the pump, but chooses not to.

Finance Minister Siobhan Coady agrees it’s all about choices, but notes options are limited given government’s dire financial position.

She says the province still has a deficit of $350 million, pointing out governmet had to borrow the $142 million in new supports in the budget. Meanwhile, she notes the debt remains around $17 billion, which is at risk of being passed on to the next generation.

Coady says any bumps in revenue could trigger more help to deal with the rising cost-of-living by the fall.