Last week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stated the federal government would be putting a pause on the GST on a number of items, such as nearly all foods, select alcoholic beverages, children’s clothing, and diapers, over the holiday season. The pause, if it passes through Parliament, would take effect December 15th.
Conservative Souris-Moose Mountain MP Dr. Robert Kitchen said the move is one of desperation by the federal government as the Prime Minister flounders around.
“It’s kind of shocking in the sense that the desperation that we’re seeing in this Prime Minister, where he suddenly puts forward this two-month temporary tax trick, and people need to recognize that fact,” Kitchen told Prairie News Network. “It’s just going to be two months, and by putting that through he’s trying to get people to love him again when in fact they’re suffering from all the travails and issues that he’s put upon them.”
Kitchen pointed to the increases in costs for people, with the national debt being doubled. He particularly focused on food prices, stating they have risen 36 per cent faster in Canada than in the United States since the federal carbon levy was introduced.
“As we know, you tax the farmers and you tax the truckers, eventually it’s going to tax people, so for him to come up with this just before Christmas is kind of shocking,” Kitchen continued.
The move will still need to go before the House of Commons, but the Conservatives are keeping what they will do close to their chest.
“At this point in time, we have no idea what he’s actually doing,” Kitchen said. “He likes to make these big announcements, yet at this present time nothing has been presented or tabled in the House, so we will have to see exactly what he’s up to and what he’s planning.”
Kitchen also took exception to the proposal to send $250 to every Canadian who was employed and earned less than $250 in 2023.
“All of a sudden, he’s going to pay Canadians back with their money,” Kitchen answered when asked if he thought the move would help with affordability. “The easiest way to solve this problem is to get rid of the carbon tax – get rid of the carbon tax and that would be a huge impact on Canadians.”
Kitchen also noted the $250 payment would not reach some of the most vulnerable who would likely be in need of such a payment, such as seniors and the disabled.
“He’s totally ignoring that part of the population that are also suffering from everything else that everyone else is going through.”
The timing also drew criticism from Kitchen. The pause on the GST would take effect on December 14th, which is after the busiest days for retail shopping in the country. As well, one of the items that falls under the pause is Christmas trees, whether natural or artificial.
“I suspect the vast majority of Canadians will have their Christmas trees long before the middle of December.”
The GST holiday and $250 payments are expected to cost the federal government $6.3 billion. Many economists have been critical of the measures, voicing skepticism that it will provide as much of a benefit to the national economy as it is touted to.