QST exemption on some grocery store items begins Wednesday

Partly empty shelves in the produce section of a Metro Mont-Royal grocery store in Montreal during employees' strike, on April 6, 2026 (CityNews)

By Tina Tenneriello

Posted July 15, 2026 8:30 am.

Last Updated July 15, 2026 1:24 pm.

The Quebec government’s new tax relief plan goes into effect Wednesday.

In May, Premier Christine Fréchette announced consumers would no longer be charged Quebec Sales Tax (QST) on specific everyday items.

It’s estimated it will cost the provincial government $100 million.

The list of items exempt from QST includes prepared fruit and vegetable platters, granola bars, dried fruit, nuts, toilet paper, tissues, and prepared desserts such as ice cream and smaller than six-pack cookies, muffins, and more. The full list can be found here.

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