Has the GST tax ‘holiday’ helped businesses 1 month in? What retailers say
Global News
While some report seeing increases in sales, others suggest the tax holiday has gone over 'like a lead balloon' for businesses worried about keeping track of tax rules.
The federal government’s GST tax “holiday” has been in place for a month and businesses say they’ve seen mixed results when it comes to increases in sales.
The “holiday” was announced in late November and goes from Dec. 14 to Feb. 14, with items such as children’s toys, restaurant food, snacks and wine free from either the government sales tax (GST) or harmonized sales tax (HST), depending on the province.
Restaurants Canada said they’ve heard in surveys of members about a boost in sales ranging from seven to nine per cent, and an increase in reservations as well.
The organization represents nearly 100,000 foodservice businesses.
Kelly Higginson, president and CEO of Restaurants Canada, said the boost has been apparent both during the holidays and after.
“Not only are we seeing an increase, but we’re seeing it at a time of year that is really unpredictable and very challenging for our operators, again, and going into the January and February months that can be particularly tough as well,” she said.
Higginson noted despite the holiday season, the last two weeks of December can still pose challenges for restaurants’ bottom line given holiday closures, bad weather and other issues.
According to estimates by Restaurants Canada’s chief economist Chris Elliott, the tax change is expected to generate an added $1.5 billion in sales for the restaurant industry by the time it ends next month.
Run 3 Space | Play Space Running Game
Traffic Jam 3D | Online Racing Game
Duck Hunt | Play Old Classic Game
Prime Minister Mark Carney, who grew up in Edmonton, made his allegiance to the home team clear when he stopped at Rogers Place to skate with the Oilers in March.
'When you have nothing to offer Albertans at the ballot box, maybe that's their idea - avoid accountability and dodge democracy,' said party leader Cameron Davies.
Numerous first responders from police, fire and ambulance initially attended with the support of the Canadian Coast Guard divers to attempt a rescue.
Marc Garneau, who served as a federal cabinet minister after becoming the first Canadian to go to space, has died at the age of 76.
Critics and advocacy groups are calling the wide-ranging border security legislation a threat to civil liberties in the immigration and asylum system.
A proposed class-action lawsuit alleges Toronto violated refugee claimants’ Charter rights by denying them access to shelter beds for nearly a year.
Howard Lutnick defended the doubling of steel and aluminum tariffs while denying the immediate real-world implications that will have on U.S. defence manufacturing.
The B.C. Lions will host the Edmonton Elks at B.C. Place in the season opener for both teams.
raser said Tuesday that the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples requires consultation but does not amount to "a blanket veto power" over projects.
Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu is urging Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers to return to the negotiating table with federal mediators.
It was Oct. 25, 2018, the morning of giving birth to her second child, and Marie-Louise Fitrion says it triggered the memory of being sexually assaulted as a child.
Canada's steel industry warned the doubling of tariffs could create 'mass disruption' for the sector, while aluminum producers call the situation 'unprecedented.'
The last time a Canadian team won the Stanley Cup was in 1993, despite a team from Canada being in the finals multiple times since.