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The Manitoba government has budgeted 200 thousand dollars so far to advertise its temporary fuel tax cut.

The government has also hired a polling firm to ask people whether they have seen the ads and what they think of them.

Finance Minister Adrien Sala's office says the government is proud to lower fuel costs, and the polling is to ensure the advertising is effective.

Political analyst Christopher Adams says governments of all stripes use public funds to advertise their programs.

But Adams, an adjunct professor at the University of Manitoba, says it's more of a public relations exercise, because the gas-tax cut has happened, regardless of whether people are aware.

The province suspended its 14-cents-a-litre fuel tax for six months as of January 1st as a way to help people with inflation.

The NDP government has said the tax cut may be extended another six months if the cost of living remains high.