Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Thursday a suite of new measures meant to alleviate some of the affordability pressures people have been experiencing in the post-COVID era — including a two-month GST holiday on some goods and services.
The Liberal government will also send $250 cheques to the 18.7 million people in Canada who worked in 2023 and earned $150,000 or less. Those cheques, which the government is calling the “Working Canadians Rebate,” will arrive sometime in “early spring 2025,” Trudeau said.
The GST/HST holiday will start on Dec. 14 and run through Feb. 15, 2025.
People will be able to buy the following goods GST-free:
Prepared foods, 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 per cent alcohol by volume (ABV).
Children’s clothing and footwear, car seats and diapers.
Children’s toys, such as board games, dolls and video game consoles.
Books, print newspapers and puzzles for all ages.
Christmas trees.
With these exemptions, all food in Canada will be essentially tax-free.
CBC News