Markham, Ontario – November 22, 2024 – Today, the Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade, and Economic Development, visited the popular Sunny Food Mart in her riding of Markham–Thornhill to announce a key policy aimed at helping Canadians save money this holiday season.
Speaking at the supermarket, Minister Ng reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to easing the financial burden on families as inflation moderates and interest rates decline. Minister Ng stated, “While we can’t control prices at the checkout, we can help ease the burden. Starting December 14, we will implement a tax break to help Canadians afford essential items while still being able to save. This is real, tangible support for Canadians when they need it most.”
Starting December 14, 2024, we’re giving a tax break to all Canadians. With a GST/HST exemption across the country, Canadians will be able to buy essentials like groceries, snacks, and kids clothing – all tax-free.
This new tax break will apply to:
- Prepared foods, including vegetable trays, pre-made meals and salads, and sandwiches.
- Restaurant meals, whether dine-in, takeout, or delivery.
- Snacks, including chips, candy, and granola bars.
- Beer, wine, cider, and pre-mixed alcoholic beverages below 7 per cent ABV.
- Children’s clothing and footwear, car seats, and diapers.
- Children’s toys, such as board games, dolls, and video game consoles.
- Books, print newspapers, and puzzles for all ages.
- Christmas trees.
Working Canadians will also get some cash back, with a new Working Canadians Rebate. That means Canadians who worked in 2023 and earned up to $150,000 will see a $250 cheque in their bank account or mailbox, starting early spring 2025. With the Working Canadians Rebate, we are putting money directly into the pockets of the middle-class – those who have worked hard to beat inflation. This will give 18.7 million Canadians that extra help to buy what they need.
Minister Ng added, “This holiday season, we aim to ease the financial pressure on Canadians. While inflation has returned to target levels, many families still feel the pinch. This tax relief policy reflects our government’s support for hardworking Canadians during these times.”
Canada Media Universal Association Director Maggie Han and several major local ethnic media outlets of Markham–Thornhill joined Minister Ng at Sunny Food Mart to discuss how these new measures would help reduce their cost of living and boost the local economy.
Quick Facts
- The GST/HST would be fully relieved on the supply or importation of qualifying goods for a period beginning on December 14, 2024, and ending on February 15, 2025.
- Canadians who have claimed tax credits for Canada Pension Plan/Quebec Pension Plan contributions or for Employment Insurance (EI) or Quebec Parental Insurance Plan (QPIP) premiums, and those who reported income from EI or QPIP benefits, with individual net income below $150,000 in 2023, would be eligible for the Working Canadians Rebate. Eligible Canadians would begin receiving the payments starting in spring 2025.
- The government is focused on making life more affordable for Canadians, with actions that are already saving families and individuals thousands of dollars a year, including:
- A new National School Food Program, with $1 billion over five years to provide meals for up to 400,000 more kids each year, ensuring all children have the food they need to have the best start in life, regardless of their family circumstances. The Program is expected to save the average participating family with two children $800 per year in grocery costs, with lower-income families benefitting the most.
- More money through the Canada Child Benefit, to help with the costs of raising children and make a real difference in the lives of children in Canada. The Canada Child Benefit, which is providing up to nearly $8,000 per child in 2024-25, is indexed annually to keep up with the cost of living and has helped lift hundreds of thousands of children out of poverty since its launch in 2016.
- Saving families up to $14,300 per child, per year, with the Canada-wide $10-a-day child care system, which has already cut fees for regulated child care to an average of $10-a-day or less in over half of all provinces and territories and by 50 per cent or more in all others.
- Saving families about $730 per year with the Canadian Dental Care Plan, which is already available for children under 18, with family incomes under $90,000, because no one should have to choose between taking care of their kids’ teeth and putting food on the table.
