Doug Ford scraps beer tax hike set to kick in next month

Oct 12 2018, 9:07 pm

The Ontario government has announced it’s cancelling a scheduled increase in the provincial beer tax that was set to kick in this November.

Premier Doug Ford’s PC Party says the three-cent-per-litre increase was planned by the previous Liberal government will be scrapped, which will “leave more money in the pockets of Ontario beer fans,” reads a statement from the provincial government.

“Every year, taxes have kept going up to fuel out-of-control government spending while making life more and more unaffordable for Ontario families,” said Ford. “We are bringing relief by putting a stop to this tax hike. Our government respects the taxpayer.”

The tax increase scheduled by the previous government would have raised Ontario’s basic beer tax by three cents per litre on November 1.

“This tax hike is a cash grab from the hardworking people of Ontario, pure and simple,” said Ford. “We are putting a stop to it so Ontario beer drinkers can keep more of their hard-earned money.”

Beer prices have gone up on November 1 every year for the last three years. The proposed changes would lock in basic tax rates for beer at their current levels.

The provincial government said it will continue to review the approach to how beer is sold in the province and look at ways to provide more choices and access to consumers, including expanding the sale of beer and wine to corner stores and box stores.

See also
Ainsley SmithAinsley Smith

+ News
+ Politics
ADVERTISEMENT