Travis
Drop in federal excise tax lowers gas prices by 10 cents per litre
The global landscape is rapidly changing.
In response, Canada’s new government is focused on what we can control – building a stronger, more independent, more resilient economy. We’re building an economy where Canadians are empowered with greater security, certainty, and a lower cost of living.
Global conflict and ongoing supply disruptions in the Middle East are driving up fuel prices around the world. To make Canada more energy secure and less reliant on external factors, our government is advancing major projects to realise Canada’s full potential in clean and conventional energy.
On April 14th, the Prime Minister, Mark Carney, announced that the government is temporarily suspending the federal Fuel Excise Tax on gasoline and diesel across Canada.
Started on April 20, 2026, Canada’s government will suspend the full amount of the tax on gasoline and diesel until September 7, 2026.
This is expected to reduce Canadians’ bills at the gas station by 10 cents per litre on regular gasoline and 4 cents on diesel.
The government is also temporarily suspending the federal Fuel Excise Tax on aviation fuels.
Cutting the tax on gasoline and diesel until Labour Day is a measure that will reduce operating costs for truckers and businesses in the food, agriculture, housing, construction, and delivery sectors.
The announcement builds on major initiatives to lower costs for Canadians, including:
Cutting taxes for 22 million middle-class Canadians by lowering the first marginal personal income tax rate from 15% to 14% as of July 1, 2025, providing tax relief of up to $420 a year per person, or up to $840 a year for two-income family
Cancelling the federal consumer carbon tax effective April 1, 2025, directly helping Canadians save money at the pump.
The government also removed the requirement for provinces and territories to have a consumer-facing carbon price as of that date. This has helped reduce gas prices in most provinces and territories by up to 18 cents per litre in comparison to 2024-25, lowering headline inflation.
Launching the new Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit, which provides a family of four up to $1,890 this year, and about $1,400 a year for the next four years; and a single person up to $950 this year, and about $700 a year for the next four years. The benefit will provide additional, significant support for more than 12 million Canadians.
Budget 2025 also outlined concrete action to ensure Canadians receive the support they deserve, including targeted measures to strengthen food security and household affordability:
Making the National School Food Program permanent, providing school meals for up to 400,000 children each year, saving participating families with two children in school an estimated $800 annually on groceries.
Introducing Automatic Federal Benefits, starting in the 2026 tax year, to ensure up to 5.5 million low-income Canadians automatically receive the benefits they qualify for by the 2028 tax year, including the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit and the Canada Child Benefit.
Lowering costs and strengthening competition in essential services, including ambitious pro-competition measures in the telecom and financial sectors to reduce prices, make it easier for Canadians to switch providers, and lower banking and service fees..
Eliminating the Goods and Services Tax (GST) for first-time homebuyers on new homes up to $1 million and reducing the GST for first-time home buyers on new homes between $1 million and $1.5 million, to immediately make the goal of home ownership a reality for more Canadians, especially young families.
Cancelling the federal consumer carbon tax effective April 1, 2025, directly helping Canadians save money at the pump. The government also removed the requirement for provinces and territories to have a consumer-facing carbon price as of that date. This has helped reduce gas prices in most provinces and territories by up to 18 cents per litre in comparison to 2024-25, lowering headline inflation.
Clara Peake captures first place honors in Missouri State golf
Northwest Missouri State University junior Clara Peake became the eighth different Bearcat in the history of the program to capture first-place honors as she gained medalist honors at the 2026 Spring Regional Preview held at Shangri La Country Club.
Peake fired a final round three-under par 69 to win the event by three shots. Peake was dialed in for her final round as she netted seven birdies. She began her round on the fourth hole and secure dbirdies at No. 5, No. 8, No. 9, No. 10, No. 14, No. 1 and No. 3. Peake shot a final round 69, which gave her a 54-hole total of 211 (-5).
Peake led the field with 17 birdies.
It is the 20th time a Bearcat golfer has finished first in an NCAA Div. II women's golf tournament. It is Peake's third career top-three finish and fifth top-10 finish.
Large crowd challenged the Slush Cup
Asessippi Ski Area & Resort wrapped up its 2025–2026 winter season with a weekend full of energy, creativity, and community, highlighted by the return of its Annual Slush Cup and the debut of a brand-new Easter event.
On Saturday, April 4, Asessippi hosted its Annual Slush Cup, drawing a large crowd of spectators and 36 participants ready to take on the challenge. This year’s event featured a pond skim format, where riders attempted to glide across a chilly water feature.
While many competitors made a splash, one participant successfully skimmed across the pond, earning bragging rights (and a prize) for the triumph. The event also saw a wide range of costumes and strong spectator turnout, creating a active and entertaining atmosphere on the hill.
The following day, Sunday, April 5, Asessippi introduced its first-ever Asessippi Eggstravaganza, a family-focused Easter event that brought guests together across the resort. Activities included a resort-wide outdoor egg hunt, an indoor kids hunt, and a bunny counting challenge.
“It was great to see kids so excited and lined up for first chair to start the outdoor hunt,” said Baily, Marketing Manager at Asessippi. “The response was incredibly positive, and we’re already planning to bring it back for Easter weekend next season.”
Leading into the final weekend, Asessippi also saw strong attendance during Manitoba Spring Break, supported by targeted promotions and family-focused offers that brought visitors to the hill during one of the busiest times of the season.
Overall, Asessippi reports a successful season, marked by strong guest engagement, well-attended events, and continued growth in its programming.
Looking ahead, the resort plans to bring back its signature events while continuing to expand its event lineup and guest experiences for the 2026–2027 season.
K3 Ashcroft Trucking
Class 1 Driver
Kal-Tire
Front Counter Sales & Service
Kal-Tire
Store Administrator
Fusion Credit Union returns $1.86 million to members
Fusion Credit Union is thanking members in a big way. At the Annual General Meeting held April 15, 2026 via webcast conference, Fusion announced a $1.86 million return to members in the form of patronage allocations and cash pay-outs to select members. The $1.86 million in total returns for 2026, based on 2025 results, includes a patronage allocation of $775,000, plus an estimated $1 million in cash payouts.
“Our members are more than customers - they’re owners - and the driving force behind everything we do,” states Darwin Johns, Chief Executive Officer at Fusion Credit Union. “The $1.86 million is one of the ways we thank our members for their continued loyalty to us.”
A patronage allocation is a value returned to a member of Fusion Credit Union based on their relationship with the credit union. The patronage amount is a portion of interest paid and earned during the past year and varies from
member to member. All patronage allocations are retained in a Surplus Share Account and select member groups receive cash payouts.
As a member-owned financial institution, Fusion’s success is directly tied to the strength of its members and communities. Patronage allocations and cash payouts ensure that investment is shared locally, supporting individuals, families, farms and businesses. “When our members choose Fusion, they’re choosing to invest in their communities,” says Johns. “And when Fusion succeeds, the success stays right here – supporting local growth, opportunity and connection.”
Intrigued? Pick up a copy of this week's Roblin Review and turn to page 9 for the whole story.
Young entrepreneurs at EMC
Harvest Hill Homeschool Co-op wrapped up their Junior Achievement financial literacy class called “A Business of Our Own” this past week. In this class 9 to 14 year old's were learning the basics of how to write a business plan. They were able to apply these skills to their own businesses and create products and market them on Sunday, April 12 at Evangelical Mission Church in Roblin.
There were 27 vendors featuring bird feeders, perogies, herb gardens, key chains, sandwiches, lemonade, baking, sewing projects, and woodworking projects. Literally something for everyone!
Over 100 people came to support the young entrepreneurs and it was a huge success! The students were then able to determine their net profits and through studying God's word as a class it has created an opportunity
for the students to learn how to manage their money through a biblical lens. There were students from Roblin, Russell, Binscarth and Rhein, SK who participated in the “A Business of Our Own” class.
Showcase Held - Hillman Dance Studio
Hillman Dance Studio finished off the Dance season by presenting their 13th Annual Showcase on April 19th. Hillman has 104 students ranging in age from 3 to 18. 56 dancers in Roblin and 48 in Churchbridge, SK.
Teaching this year, were Giny Hillman, Jesslie Laroche, Danica Bowley, Tori McGinnis, Michaela Alyward and Dani Rands. as well as student teacher Emery Laviolette (pictured on the left).
The Studio’s dancers competed in Russell, Virden, Brandon and Yorkton this year, coming home with many awards, among them a Platinum award from the Parkland Dance Festival held in Yorkton every year - a first for the studio. Dancers showcased their award-winning dances to a crowd at a filled to capacity Roblin Community Centre. See next week’s edition for more pictures.
