Written by David Matrick, editor of CheapGasCalgary.ca. Price figures come from the station reports published on this site; tax and policy facts link to their official sources. See our About page for editorial standards and our disclaimer for price accuracy notes.
Alberta fuel taxes changed on October 1. This guide distinguishes the provincial suspension from Ottawa’s proposed extension of federal relief, so a policy announcement is not treated as enacted law.
What is in an October 2026 Calgary litre?
- Alberta gasoline and diesel fuel tax: 0¢/L from October 1 through at least December 31, 2026.
- Federal excise: compare scenarios. The regular rate is 10¢/L gasoline and 4¢/L diesel. The original zero-rate period covered April 20–September 7. Bill C-38 proposes continued relief, but had not been enacted when checked October 19.
- Federal consumer fuel charge: 0¢/L since April 1, 2025. Industrial carbon pricing is a separate system.
- GST: 5%, already included in the displayed pump price.
A 50-litre example at 155¢/L
The posted total is $77.50 in either illustrative breakdown. Its embedded GST is $3.69, calculated as $77.50 × 5 ÷ 105. Alberta fuel tax contributes $0 during the October–December suspension. Under the regular federal gasoline excise scenario another $5.00 of the fill is federal excise; under the proposed zero-rate scenario that component is $0. The calculator divides an all-in price into components; it does not predict the pump price or guarantee tax pass-through.
How Alberta’s rate changed
Alberta charged 13¢/L in the earlier 2026 period. The province’s October notice suspends collection through at least December 31. A future quarterly rate must be checked against the latest provincial notice before using it in a budget. The 13¢ reduction is worth $6.50 on 50 litres before any associated GST change, if wholesale costs and retail margins stay constant.
What Ottawa has proposed
CRA documents a zero federal fuel excise rate for April 20–September 7, 2026. Extending zero to January 31, 2027, followed by half rates in February–March, remains a proposal in Bill C-38, at report stage when checked October 19. It is not enacted law. Use the calculator to compare the regular-rate and proposed-relief scenarios. The proposed diesel half rate would be 2¢/L, compared with 5¢/L for gasoline. These are scenarios for comparison, not a promise that prices will change by that amount on a particular day.
Compare the other provinces
Sales-tax treatment and local transit levies also matter. Our province-by-province table and calculator separates those layers and labels the date and federal scenario. The quoted rates describe tax components, not a live national retail-price census.
Use current reports for your next fill
Compare dated Calgary station prices, diesel or premium. Check the forecast and the actual pump display before fuelling. Read our October tax-cut analysis for the distinction between a statutory change and observed prices.
Correction October 19, 2026: updated the provincial rate and removed statements treating the federal extension as enacted. The worked calculator now labels each scenario.
FAQ
How much tax is on a litre of gas in Alberta in 2026?
As checked October 19, 2026, Alberta fuel tax is zero through at least December 31 and GST is 5%. Federal gasoline excise is normally 10 cents per litre; continuing the original zero-rate holiday is proposed in Bill C-38, not enacted. Compare both federal scenarios in the calculator.
Is there still a carbon tax on gasoline in Alberta?
No. The federal consumer carbon levy (17.6 cents per litre at its 2024 level) was cancelled effective April 1, 2025, and the federal requirement for provinces to price consumer fuel emissions was removed. Industrial emitters in Alberta still pay carbon pricing under the provincial TIER system, but nothing is charged at the pump.
What is the Alberta fuel tax and does it change?
Alberta suspended its 13¢/L gasoline and diesel fuel tax from October 1 through at least December 31, 2026. The 2027 rate requires a new policy check.
Which province has the highest gas tax in Canada?
Quebec and British Columbia carry the heaviest provincial loads. Metro Vancouver drivers pay BC’s motor fuel tax plus a dedicated transit levy (over 30 cents per litre combined), and Quebec adds about 19 cents of provincial tax plus cap-and-trade carbon costs. HST provinces (Ontario and the Atlantic provinces) also pay 13–15% sales tax on fuel versus Alberta’s 5% GST.
When does the federal gas tax holiday end?
CRA documents a zero federal fuel excise rate for April 20–September 7, 2026. Extending zero to January 31, 2027, followed by half rates in February–March, remains a proposal in Bill C-38, at report stage when checked October 19. It is not enacted law. Use the calculator to compare the regular-rate and proposed-relief scenarios.
Related: Gas Price Trends in Alberta 2026 · 5 Ways to Save on Gas in Calgary · Cheapest diesel in Calgary