Prime Minister Justin Trudeau makes remarks during a pro-Israel rally at the Soloway Jewish Community Centre in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada October 9, 2023. REUTERS/Blair Gable
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced that Canadians will receive a two-month break from the GST on certain items, while most workers will receive a $250 cheque from the government.
“The tax break over the next two months is going to help on the costs of everything as we approach the holidays, as we get into the new year. These are things that recognize that people are squeezed, and we’re there to help,” Trudeau said during a Nov. 21 press conference.
Beginning on Dec. 14, 2024, and ending on Feb. 15, 2025, Canadians will not pay GST or HST on items such as groceries, restaurant meals, beer, wine, and certain pre-mixed alcoholic beverages, and some “essential” items for children such as clothing, footwear, diapers and toys. Christmas trees will also be tax-free.
The government will also give $250 cheques to 18.7 million Canadians who worked in 2023 and earned $150,000 or less. Trudeau said the cheques, dubbed the “Working Canadians Rebate,” will be given out in early spring 2025.
Trudeau said he hoped the other parties in the House of Commons would “get behind this so we can pass this quickly.” Parliament has been gridlocked for weeks over the government’s refusal to hand over documents related to Sustainable Development Technology Canada’s alleged misspending of taxpayers’ money.
This is a developing story, updates will follow.