Ontario Government Rejects NDP Proposal to Cut HST on Food

The Doug Ford government has turned down an NDP bill that aimed to eliminate the Ontario portion of the harmonized sales tax on specific food items and non-alcoholic drinks.

Bill 113 sought to change the Retail Sales Tax Act in order to ease financial burdens for residents in Ontario, according to the Official Opposition. The bill did not pass at its second reading on Wednesday, receiving 39 votes in favor and 68 against.

Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles told reporters after the vote that many people are struggling financially in the province.

“I thought it was shameful to see the government all, including the premier, rush in to vote against that legislation. People in this province, what they care about right now is that life has become less affordable,” Stiles said.

The HST applies to prepared foods like rotisserie chickens, ready-made salads, and sushi. It also covers snack foods, products sold from vending machines, as well as carbonated and non-carbonated beverages. However, it does not apply to basic groceries.

Stiles mentioned that even a small step like removing HST from certain food items during a time of high grocery prices would have made a difference.

“Ontarians are really struggling with the cost of everything. What have we seen from this government? Nothing. Nothing that actually helps people in their pocketbook,” Stiles said.

Liberal and Green Parties Backed NDP Bill

Ontario Liberal MPP Lee Fairclough stated that her party supported the NDP bill because its goal was to assist everyday individuals.

“The affordability of food is very critical,” Fairclough said.

“The goal isn’t necessarily, I think, to help the people shopping at Pusateri’s save money. This is about everyday people that are looking to get by and try saving money on their food,” she added.

Mike Schreiner, leader of the Green Party of Ontario, also voted in favor of the NDP bill.

“Grocery prices are hitting people hard. Anything we can do to help lower costs for folks is something I think we should do. That’s exactly why I think it was wrong that the Ford government voted against it,” Schreiner said.

Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy mentioned that his government has already taken steps toward making life more affordable in Ontario.

“We acted early; we cut personal income tax for those in lower income brackets; we indexed payments for Ontario Disability benefits based on inflation for low-income seniors,” Bethlenfalvy said.

“We’ve put a lot of money back into people’s pockets and we’ll continue doing so.”



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