Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says his government plans to temporarily lift the federal sales tax off a slew of items just in time for Christmas and send cheques to millions of Canadians this spring. Trudeau announced the proposed affordability measures in Toronto alongside Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland this morning, ahead of the government's fall economic statement. In order to get the measures passed through Parliament, the Liberals will need the support of an opposition party _ and the NDP appears poised to do just that, taking credit for forcing the government to adopt its idea.
The GST break, which would begin Dec. 14 and end Feb. 15, applies to a number of items including toys, diapers, restaurant meals and beer and wine. Canadians who worked in 2023 and earned up to $150,000 would also receive a $250 cheque in the spring. About 18.7 million people will receive the cheques, costing the government about $4.7 billion, while the GST break is expected to cost another $1.6 billion.