Liberals plan to send $250 cheques to Canadians, cutting GST on some items

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says his government plans to temporarily lift the federal sales tax off a slew of items just in time for Christmas and send cheques to millions of Canadians this spring.

Trudeau announced the proposed affordability measures in Toronto alongside Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland on Thursday morning, ahead of the government’s fall economic statement.

“The government can’t set prices at the checkout, but we can put more money in people’s pockets,” Trudeau said. “We know people are under pressure, this is there to help them.”

The GST break, which would begin Dec. 14 and end Feb. 15, applies to a number of items:

• 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

Canadians who worked in 2023 and earned $150,000 or less would also receive a $250 cheque in the spring.

About 18.7 million people will receive the cheques, costing the government about $4.7 billion, while the GST break is expected to cost another $1.6 billion.

In order to get the measures passed through Parliament, the Liberals will need the support of an opposition party — and the NDP appears poised to do just that, taking credit for forcing the government to adopt its idea.

The measures come as an inflation-driven affordability crunch has left voters unhappy with the Liberal government.

With files from Cormac Mac Sweeney, 680 NewsRadio Parliament Hill reporter