The Opposition continued to press the provincial government on providing tax relief for residents by agreeing to lower the provincial portion of the gas tax when gas prices reach a certain level.

Opposition Leader John Hogan challenged Finance Minister Craig Pardy during Question Period to accept a Liberal amendment on lowering the tax.

Hogan offered to introduce an amendment “to give him the power and his cabinet the power to lower the gas tax at the government’s discretion, when the price of oil goes up, rather than requiring legislation each time. Will the Minister of Finance accept my offer and agree to that proposal?”

Finance Minister Craig Pardy, standing to address the fluctuating price of oil, referred to Hogan as “the Official Leader of the Deficit, I mean the Opposition” which resulted in howls of laughter from the government side of the House. “Speaker I withdraw that, that was a slip, and I do apologize.”