18.25°C Vancouver

Feb 14, 2025 5:30 PM - CONNECT NEWSROOM

GST Exemption for Canadians Ends February 15: Impact on Businesses and Consumers

Share On
gst-exemption-for-canadians-ends-february-15-impact-on-businesses-and-consumers
All businesses will resume charging GST on previously exempt goods and services.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s GST exemption for Canadians will end tomorrow, February 15, at midnight. All businesses will resume charging GST on previously exempt goods and services.

To ease the burden of inflation, the Trudeau government introduced a two-month GST exemption from December 14 to February 15 on items such as groceries, restaurant meals, children’s clothing, toys, diapers, and even beer and wine. The government also encouraged provinces to temporarily waive their taxes during this period.

Nik Nanos, head of Nanos Research, compared the return of GST to the frustration of returning to work after a long, relaxing vacation. However, data from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business shows that the impact on small businesses during the GST holiday was minimal. Only 5% of small businesses reported increased sales compared to last year, while 70% saw no significant change in spending or sales.

With the reintroduction of GST though, shopping may feel more expensive to Canadians.

Latest news

CanadaAug 19, 2025

Canada-Wide Warrant Issued for Gurkirat Singh, 26, of Delta

A Canada-wide warrant has been issued for Gurkirat Singh, 26, of Delta. Gurkirat is charged with sexually abusing a girl under the age of 16. Police said Tuesday that Gurkirat Singh, wanted in connection with an alleged child sexual assault that occurred last year, is still at large. Police have issued a renewed appeal for information on his whereabouts. The charges against him date back to Sept. 12, 2024. The Delta Police Vulnerable Sector Unit has issued a public appeal for help in finding him so he can be arrested to face charges. Police said in a news release that anyone with informati
heavy-rains-wreak-havoc-in-western-punjab-several-people-die
WorldAug 19, 2025

Heavy rains wreak havoc in western Punjab, several people die

At least six people died in incidents related to heavy rains in Karachi, Pakistan on Tuesday and the Meteorological Department has warned of more rain. The visuals that emerged showed the main roads of the city submerged in water and traffic was disrupted. At the same time, at least 358 people have died in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the last three days as a result of heavy floods and rains, where record rains that started on August 15 have wreaked havoc across the province. Last week, the state government had declared an emergency. Meanwhile, many cities in Pakistani Punjab are on high alert, i
health-canada-approves-ozempic-to-reduce-kidney-deterioration-in-people-with-diabetes
CanadaAug 19, 2025

Health Canada approves Ozempic to reduce kidney deterioration in people with diabetes

Health Canada has approved Ozempic to reduce the risk of further kidney decline among patients with Type 2 diabetes. Between 30 and 50 per cent of people with Type 2 diabetes develop some form of chronic kidney disease. An international clinical trial, called FLOW, showed the risk of kidneys significantly deteriorating or failing was 24 per cent lower in patients taking Ozempic compared to those taking a placebo injection. The patients taking the drug were also less likely to die from cardiovascular disease another condition that affects many patients with diabetes. The study, funded by Ozempi
fiery-head-on-crash-on-highway-1-kills-two-near-lytton-b-c
EnglishAug 19, 2025

Fiery head-on crash on Highway 1 kills two near Lytton, B.C.

A fiery head-on crash on Highway 1 in the British Columbia Interior has left two people dead. Lytton RCMP say the crash happened on Aug. 14 just before 5 p.m., when police began receiving calls from the collision site near Spences Bridge. Police say officers arrived to find that a southbound SUV likely crossed over the centre line of the highway and collided with a northbound pickup truck. Mounties say in a statement that the crash left both vehicles "engulfed in flames." Emergency responders say three occupants of the SUV and the driver of the pickup were all taken to hospital, and two dogs a
inflation-cools-to-1-7-in-july-thanks-to-lower-gas-prices-statcan
CanadaAug 19, 2025

Inflation cools to 1.7% in July thanks to lower gas prices: StatCan

Inflation cooled in July thanks largely to relief at the gas pumps, but Statistics Canada said grocery and shelter costs were accelerating last month. The annual rate of inflation fell to 1.7 per cent in July, the agency said Tuesday, down from 1.9 per cent in June. The reading was a tenth of a percentage point below most economists' expectations. A 16.1 per cent decline year-over-year in gas prices tied mainly to the removal of the consumer carbon price earlier this year fuelled the drop. Gas prices were also down 0.7 per cent on a monthly basis. Statistics Canada pointed to increased product

Related News