NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh has voiced his backing for the Liberal government’s holiday GST relief plan for Canadians, but is refusing to support the proposed $250 rebate unless it includes the most vulnerable in society. The Liberals revealed their plan last week, which involves a temporary federal sales tax reduction on a wide range of items, such as toys and restaurant meals, and a $250 rebate for over 18.7 million Canadians in the spring.
Speaking at a Canadian Labour Congress event in Ottawa, Singh expressed his support for the GST legislation, but insisted that the rebate should also cover seniors, students, those receiving disability benefits and individuals who were unable to work last year. Singh initially backed the proposal, believing the rebate checks would be issued to anyone who earned less than $150,000 last year.
However, the proposed working Canadians rebate is set to be distributed to those who had an income, excluding people Singh believes require the support.
A representative for Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland refuted claims that seniors and individuals with disabilities are excluded from the rebate. Press Secretary Katherine Cuplinskas clarified that eligibility for the rebate would require earning less than $150,000 in 2023 net income and meeting at least one of three criteria: receiving EI benefits, paying EI premiums or making CPP contributions.
The government intends to incorporate these measures in the fall economic statement, which has yet to be presented in the House of Commons. The proposed GST holiday is set to commence in mid-December and last for two months. A range of items, including prepared foods at grocery stores, some alcoholic beverages, children’s clothes and toys, Christmas trees, restaurant meals, books, video games and physical newspapers, will be exempt from GST during this period.
The NDP announced last week that they had agreed to pause the privilege debate to pass the legislation to initiate the GST holiday. However, Singh has now declared that he will not support a pause in the debate unless changes are made to the proposed legislation. The Bloc Québécois is also advocating for the rebates to be extended to seniors and retirees.
