What to know
- DraftKings held its Gameday Fuel giveaway at a gas station in Scarborough on Wednesday.
- Drivers received a free full tank of gas while supplies lasted.
- Toronto drivers told Now Toronto that rising fuel costs are making it harder to manage their budgets.
- The federal government plans to extend its temporary fuel tax cut into 2027
For Toronto drivers feeling the pinch at the pump, a free full tank of gas offered some welcome relief Wednesday as Ottawa plans to extend a temporary federal fuel tax cut into 2027.
DraftKings brought its “Gameday Fuel” promotion to a gas station in Scarborough on Sept. 2, giving drivers the chance to fill up for free. The giveaway ran throughout the morning, with DraftKings covering the cost of a full tank of gas for eligible drivers while supplies lasted.
For some of the drivers who stopped by, the promotion came at a time when they say the cost of driving has become increasingly difficult to manage.
Omar tells Now Toronto he has been trying to time his fill-ups and drive less to keep his fuel costs down.
“I’ve been trying to time it, you know, and like drive less, but still I’m spending $120 like every two or three days,” he said. “Because my car, V6, consumes a lot, so it’s way worse for me.”
The free gas was a welcome break from those costs.
“It feels amazing, you know, especially with the gas prices these days,” Omar said.
Another driver named Ocean said rising fuel costs have also changed how her household uses their vehicles.
“We’re usually only driving one vehicle now,” she said. “We try and just keep one parked and just drive one vehicle.”
But when she does fill up, the cost can add up quickly.
“For this truck, about $200. Sometimes it depends on the price of gas,” Ocean said. “And our other car, $80.”
“With the economy right now, this is a true blessing,” she added.
Mo said the price of gas has also climbed noticeably compared with what he was paying before.
“So usually I used to pay like $70 or $80. Now I pay over $100.”
Despite the higher prices, Mo said he has not changed how much he drives.
“I have to deal with that,” Mo said.
Federal gas tax relief extended
The giveaway comes as the federal government moves to extend its temporary fuel tax relief.
On Wednesday, the federal government announced that the federal excise tax cut on gasoline and diesel will be extended until Jan. 31 2027. The measure saves drivers 10 cents per litre on gasoline and four cents per litre on diesel.
The government also announced that it is applying 50 per cent of the regular excise tax rate from Feb. 1 through March 31, 2027.
The drivers Now Toronto spoke with welcomed the relief, though Ocean said it only goes so far.
“It helps a little bit. It’s still expensive, no matter what,” she said.
Omar remained a little more optimistic while hoping the factors contributing to higher gas prices eventually ease.
“It’ll help us in the long run,” he said.
