The past few years have been challenging. It feels like the price of everything has gone up. And while inflation is back to the 2% target and interest rates have been cut five times this year, we know that Canadians aren't feeling that yet in their household budgets.
Our government can't set prices at the checkout, but we can give Canadians more money in their pockets to help them afford the things they need and save for the things they want.
Today in Laval, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, along with Fayçal El-Khoury, Member of Parliament for Laval-Les Îles, met with grocery store owners and families to inform them about government initiatives aimed at putting more money in people's pockets.
As Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on November 21, starting on December 14, we're giving a tax break to all Canadians. With a GST/HST exemption across the country, Canadians will be able to buy essentials like groceries, snacks, children's clothing, and gifts-all tax-free.
This new tax break will apply to:
- Children's clothing and footwear, car seats, and diapers
- Children's toys, such as board games, dolls, and video game consoles
- Prepared food, including vegetable trays, pre-made meals and salads, and sandwiches
- Restaurant meals, whether dine-in, takeout, or delivery
- Snacks, including chips, candy, and granola bars
- Beer, wine, cider, and pre-mixed alcoholic beverages below 7% alcohol by volume
- Books, print newspapers, and puzzles for all ages
- Christmas trees
This tax break is projected to last until February 15, 2025. This will deliver meaningful savings for Canadians by making essentially all food GST/HST free, providing real relief at the cash register.
Some will light Christmas trees for Santa to put gifts underneath. Some will share meals with family and friends. Some might just make hot chocolate, order take-out, and stay in for a movie night. With this announcement, we're making the holidays easier and helping Canadians start the new year with a little more in their pockets.
