Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s social media post about his government’s upcoming GST tax break on groceries is not sitting well with many Canadians. “In under two weeks, you’ll be paying less for groceries at the register,” stated Trudeau in an X post on Thursday. “Canadians are getting a tax break — starting December 14.
” will make December 14, 2024, and February 15, 2025. Some highlights from the list of products eligible for the tax exemption include various food items, beer and wine, restaurant meals (dine-in, take-out, or delivery), essential childcare items, and even Christmas trees. However, Canadians reacted to Trudeau’s post by noting that many “basic” groceries in Canada, such as fresh, frozen, canned, and vacuum-sealed fruits and vegetables, breakfast cereals, most milk products, fresh meat, poultry and fish, and eggs, .
X even tacked on a community note to Trudeau’s post, highlighting that readers “added context” to his message, pointing out that “most groceries are already exempt of GST.” The GST break will cover other food items like candy, snacks (potato chips and popcorn), cakes, and prepared foods. A full list can be found .
“Most groceries are already exempt from GST, so there’s little benefit,” stated one person. “Canadians are struggling and hungry and your response is to give a GST break on beer, junk food, and take out..
.things Canadians can’t afford,” wrote another. “Basic groceries aren’t taxed.
.. this means nothing,” said one commenter.
Another person said they didn’t want a tax break on “Doritos or junk food.” Others commented that they wouldn’t be saving much on their grocery bills with the new exemption. While some Canadians aren’t buying into Trudeau’s tax holiday, they’ll likely not be pleased that they will be paying more for groceries next year.
According to the recently released (CFRP), overall food prices will increase by 3% to 5%, with the average family of four expected to spend $16,833.67 in 2025 — an increase of up to $801.56 from last year.
The most significant price increases are from 4% to 6% in categories such as bakery, dairy, meat, restaurants, and vegetables..
Canadians call out Trudeau for post about GST cut on groceries
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s social media post about his government’s upcoming GST tax break on groceries is not sitting well with many Canadians.“In under two weeks, you’ll be paying less for groceries at the register,” stated Trudeau in an X post on Thursday.“Canadians are getting a tax break — starting December 14.”> In under two weeks, you’ll be paying less for groceries at the register.> > Canadians are getting a tax break — starting December 14.> > — Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) December 5, 2024The Tax Break For All Canadians Act will make certain items tax-free between December 14, 2024, and February 15, 2025.Some highlights from the list of products eligible for the tax exemption include various food items, beer and wine, restaurant meals (dine-in, take-out, or delivery), essential childcare items, and even Christmas trees.However, Canadians reacted to Trudeau’s post by noting that many “basic” groceries in Canada, such as fresh, frozen, canned, and vacuum-sealed fruits and vegetables, breakfast cereals, most milk products, fresh meat, poultry and fish, and eggs, are already tax-free.X even tacked on a community note to Trudeau’s post, highlighting that readers “added context” to his message, pointing out that “most groceries are already exempt of GST.”The GST break will cover other food items like candy, snacks (potato chips and popcorn), cakes, and prepared foods. A full list can be found here.“Most groceries are already exempt from GST, so there’s little benefit,” stated one person.> Huh?> Most groceries are already exempt from GST, so there’s little benefit. Why not exempt it for all, like car purchases?> > — Yoshii (@RodolfoYoshii) December 6, 2024> True, if I buy *junk* food at the grocer.> > — Sunocoz (@Sunocoz) December 5, 2024“Canadians are struggling and hungry and your response is to give a GST break on beer, junk food, and take out...things Canadians can’t afford,” wrote another.> Canadians are struggling and hungry and your response is to give a GST break on beer, junk food, and take out...things Canadians can’t afford anyway. My last grocery shop had a whopping total of .25 cents in GST...THAT is what you are so proud to save me...25 cents...> > — Michelle I Love Alberta Oil and Farmers (@Michell09971295) December 5, 2024“Basic groceries aren’t taxed... this means nothing,” said one commenter.> Basic groceries aren’t taxed lol this means nothing https://t.co/eGyQBMVDpB> > — 👩🦰 (@susanbutworse) December 5, 2024Another person said they didn’t want a tax break on “Doritos or junk food.”> We don’t want Doritos, or junk food. We don’t pay tax on real edible grocery items. We want a permanent reprieve from GST/HST. Dec 14 is too late to save with Christmas on the way.> > — S_Factor1 🍎 🍎 (@h81418541) December 5, 2024Others commented that they wouldn’t be saving much on their grocery bills with the new exemption.> Yesterday my $87 grocery bill had a whopping $0.20 of GST on it, groceries are already exempt, junk food isn’t.> > — Brandon 47 (@Brandon47154671) December 6, 2024> @CommunityNotes> > Groceries aren’t taxed in Canada. Here’s a recent grocery bill. I would have saved $1.70 on a $212.37 grocery bill. pic.twitter.com/AXM6uoWapF> > — Bebbz 🇨🇦 (@That_Bebbzy_Guy) December 5, 2024> So glad that $1.37 came off. Now, maybe those 2 million Canadians using foodbanks can afford that steak dinner, right?> > — JayGreen (@JayGreen5000) December 5, 2024> Who else is super joyed like me for saving 33 cents on a 61 dollar supermarket bill? I cannot wait 😆🤡 https://t.co/QjtE7ZLyj0 pic.twitter.com/DrvP11VdLt> > — Anuradha Gupta (@AajKiRadha) December 6, 2024While some Canadians aren’t buying into Trudeau’s tax holiday, they’ll likely not be pleased that they will be paying more for groceries next year.According to the recently released Canada’s Food Price Report (CFRP), overall food prices will increase by 3% to 5%, with the average family of four expected to spend $16,833.67 in 2025 — an increase of up to $801.56 from last year.The most significant price increases are from 4% to 6% in categories such as bakery, dairy, meat, restaurants, and vegetables.With files from Isabelle Docto You might also like:- Canadians have a LOT to say about the GST tax break- Here's how much you could actually save from the GST holiday- Canadians expected to spend even more money on food in 2025