Which items in Canada will now be GST free?

Starting December 14, 2024, Canadians will benefit from a temporary GST/HST exemption on a wide range of products, as part of a new initiative announced by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

This measure aims to provide financial relief during the busy holiday season and help families cope with the rising cost of living. The exemption will last for two months, ending February 15, 2025, pending approval from the House of Commons.

The temporary tax break applies to a broad selection of goods, with many essentials becoming GST/HST-free. This includes a variety of food items, children’s products, and seasonal items. The initiative is designed to ease financial pressures, particularly as Canadians prepare for the holiday season.

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GST/HST-Free Items Include:

• Food and Beverages:
  • Fresh, frozen, canned, and vacuum-sealed fruits and vegetables
  • Breakfast cereals
  • Most milk products
  • Fresh meat, poultry, and fish
  • Eggs and coffee
  • Prepared foods like vegetable trays, pre-made meals, sandwiches, and salads
  • Snacks, including chips, candy, and granola bars
• Alcoholic Beverages:
  • Wine
  • Beer
  • Ciders
  • Spirit coolers (with up to seven percent alcohol by volume)
• Children’s Products:
  • Toys and games
  • Children’s clothing and footwear
  • Car seats and diapers
  • Books, print newspapers, and puzzles for all ages
  • Christmas trees

This new exemption is part of a broader effort to make life more affordable for Canadians, especially during the holiday season when spending is typically higher. The measure aims to offer relief to families, with some items seeing significant savings at the cash register.

With this initiative, the government hopes to alleviate some of the financial pressures facing Canadians, making it easier for families to enjoy the holiday season and start 2025 with more savings.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Thursday a suite of new measures meant to alleviate some of the affordability pressures people have been experiencing in the post-COVID era — including a two-month GST holiday on some goods and services.

The Liberal government will also send $250 cheques to the 18.7 million people in Canada who worked in 2023 and earned $150,000 or less.

Those cheques, which the government is calling the “Working Canadians Rebate,” will arrive sometime in “early spring 2025,” Trudeau said.