The provincial government’s 50 per cent gas and diesel tax cut that was implemented last June is set to be lifted at the end of this month, but the Canadian Taxpayers Federation is calling on the province to make the tax cut permanent.

The break was initially supposed to expire in January, but that was extended in the fall to March 31.

Interim Atlantic Director for the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, Jay Goldberg, says if the cut is not made permanent the price of gas will automatically rise by seven cents.

Then in July the federal carbon tax backstop will come into effect, rising prices by another three cents per litre.

Goldberg is urging government to keep the tax break, citing inflationary pressures that are making it hard for people to live.

He says an average family with two vehicles has saved over $300 since the tax cut was put in place, noting that money pays for over a week of groceries for a family of four. He says now is not the time to raise taxes.