Nova Scotia premier Stephen McNeil had hoped the other Atlantic premiers would agree to ask the federal government to get rid of the tax-on-tax on gasoline that adds about 4 cents a litre to the price at the pump.

But McNeil said when the four met in Saint John for the 24th session of the Council of Atlantic Premiers, the other provincial leaders weren’t interested in re-opening the HST issue with Ottawa.

McNeil told News 95.7 he thinks the economy is the reason.

“They’re in a deficit position, they just felt this is the wrong time.” said McNeil. “The other provinces were not interested in making that a collective ask to the federal government.”

McNeil said he still believes the gas tax is unfair, but without the rest of the Atlantic provinces, his government will have to decide what the next step is for Nova Scotia.

“We’re going to continue to look at that and find out if there is something we can do, or not,” said McNeil.