Trudeau expected to announce temporary GST break on some items, NDP says

By Nojoud Al Mallees, The Canadian Press on November 20, 2024.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau rises in the House of Commons during Question Period, in Ottawa, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is expected to announce on Thursday a temporary GST break for certain items to help with affordability. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

OTTAWA – Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is expected to announce on Thursday a temporary GST break for certain essential items to help ease affordability pressures.

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh says in a statement that the announcement is in response to his party’s demands to permanently lift the goods and services tax on a range of expenses, including home heating and grocery-store meals.

The Globe and Mail has reported that the prime minister is set to announce a multibillion-dollar package of affordability measures, including the GST break.

Trudeau is scheduled to make an announcement alongside Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland on Thursday morning in Toronto.

Singh says in the statement that New Democrats will vote in favour of the measure, suggesting the NDP may help the government break the gridlock in Parliament that has stopped legislation from moving along.

The expected announcement comes as the Liberals continue to struggle in public opinion polls and face mounting pressure to address Canadians’ affordability concerns.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 20, 2024.