Sask. gov't adding PST to most art, culture and sport events
CBC
The Saskatchewan government is raising the cost for people who want to attend big events or experience entertainment in the province.
A sweeping expansion of the provincial sales tax base was announced Wednesday with the release of the 2022-23 budget.
The changes come into effect in October 2022 and will see people paying an extra six per cent on ticket prices for big sporting events, concerts and professional theatre.
The tax is also being added to movie theatres, museums, zoos and historical sites, as well as tickets for fairs, rodeos, trade shows and arts and crafts shows. Furthermore, it will be extended to people buying memberships to the gyms, golf courses and curling clubs.
It will also be tacked on to hunting and fishing guide fees and outfitter services.
Finance Minister Donna Harpauer said the expansion will generate about $21 million annually. She said it targets events and services already taxed under the federal goods and services tax (GST).
Harpauer told reporters the expansion would not affect small groups hit hard by the pandemic.
"It doesn't apply to your small town rodeos or events," Harpauer said." This is going to be bigger concert events, your Roughrider tickets. It's your larger events."
The larger organizations directly affected were surprised by the expansion. The government did not conduct consultations prior to setting the changes in motion.
Tim Reid, president and CEO of Regina Exhibition Association Limited, said the organization was caught off guard. REAL operates "the largest interconnected event complex in Canada" and hosts a variety of sports games, farm shows, the exhibition and other big community events.
"The last two years have been the darkest time the industry has ever faced," Reid said in a written statement. "As the province's largest sport and entertainment district, this change will impact our business operations and entertainment goers."
The Saskatchewan Roughriders shared a similar message.
"As a not-for-profit sports team and despite rising inflation costs, we worked tirelessly to minimize the financial impact on our fans. Unfortunately, we know today's decision will impact many in our community who are looking forward to coming together on Rider game day and for the 2022 Grey Cup," said a team spokesperson in a written statement.
They said the team would be in communication with CFL football fans once the extent of the impact is understood.
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