The regional gas tax cut promised by Ford's government is scheduled to take effect on Friday.

Ford confirmed this news at a press conference on Thursday morning in the city of Brampton.

The government had issued legislation this spring to reduce the gas tax by 5.7 cents per liter, in addition to the fuel tax covering diesel by 5.3 cents per liter, for six months between July 1 and December 31.

Experts earlier said it may provide some relief to drivers facing a sharp rise in prices at gas stations, although the long-term benefits may be uncertain.

Prime Minister Doug Ford is expected to start working with his new government and parliament members on August 8.

Ford said: “We will pass the budget, the big budget prepared by Minister Bethlenfalvy, and will work to move things forward as quickly as possible.”

He will return to Queen's Park with 83 Progressive Conservative MPs, 16 more MPs than left in May when the legislature was dissolved.

The Prime Minister announced his government last week, which includes his nephew, the new MP Michael Ford, as Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism.

Editing: Dima Abu Khair