The Manitoba government tabled its Budget Implementation and Tax Statutes Amendment Act (BITSA), which would remove the provincial sales tax (PST) from all food items and non-alcoholic beverages sold at grocery stores, and is calling for its timely passage so Manitobans can benefit starting July 1.
“We want to make this happen by July 1 so Manitobans can start benefitting from the PST removal as soon as possible,” said Finance Minister Adrien Sala. “Our government is focused on lowering costs and removing the PST from groceries is a practical step that will put money back in the pockets of Manitobans every time they shop.”
The proposed bill is designed to provide immediate relief to households facing rising grocery costs, and part of the Manitoba government’s wider efforts to address affordability at the grocery store through freezing the price of milk, banning predatory pricing and removing restrictive covenants that decrease competition and increase costs, the minister noted.
The Manitoba government confirmed that, based on legal advice, any PST reduction cannot be implemented without the legislative assembly passing legislation.
“Manitobans are expecting action on affordability now,” said Sala. “These savings are tied directly to this legislation and the passage of this bill will mean Manitobans start feeling that relief on July 1.”
