Shields calls out Trudeau’s ‘tax trick’

Posted on December 5, 2024 by Vauxhall Advance

By Cal Braid
Vauxhall Advance
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

On Nov. 28, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s two-month tax break passed in the House of Commons. The GST/HST break will apply to a variety of consumer goods just in time for the holidays. Bill C-78, the Tax Break for All Canadians Act, sailed through but an additional measure – a $250 Working Canadians Rebate – is on hold.

 Predictably, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre showed utter scorn for the move, viewing it as a political chess maneuver. 

“This isn’t a tax cut. This is an inflationary, two month, temporary tax trick,” Poilievre said. “We need tax relief that actually encourages the economy to produce more of the stuff that cash buys.”

 The break may be temporary, and driven by motives that are suspect, but there it is for the taking. Six days earlier, Bow River MP Martin Shields stood in the House of Commons and said, “Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister’s desperate temporary tax trick proves he will do anything to save his own skin and tank the Canadian economy no matter the cost. Economist Trevor Tombe says that this will not address the economic challenges we face and that ‘By doing this, the government invites valid critiques that it is not taking these…issues seriously.’”

Most working Canadians don’t need an economist to do the math and understand that “this will not address the economic challenges we face.” It’s a short-term measure, and too little, too late for most. “The leader of the NDP will keep the Liberals in power and permanently quadruple the carbon tax again. Conservatives will axe the tax on everything for everyone,” Shields said.

 “My constituents do not believe anything from that side,” Shields continued. “Neither do most Canadians. Tovi from Langdon writes me, ‘As owners of a small trucking business in Alberta, every time the Liberal carbon tax goes up, our fuel goes up, and we have to charge more.’”

 “If the NDP-Liberals cannot understand that taxing people who grow the food and transport the food makes the food more expensive, can the common-sense Conservatives explain it to them in a carbon tax election?” Shields asked.

 Trudeau’s tax break will come into effect on Dec. 14 and end on Feb. 15. The PM’s office promotes it this way: “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.”

 As long as Canadians don’t misinterpret Trudeau’s blanket use of the word ‘groceries’ to mean meat, poultry, fish, legumes, vegetables, grains, nuts, baked goods, eggs, milk, hot beverages, cold beverages, sauces, and condiments, they won’t be disappointed in the tax savings that they will accrue.