GST holiday ‘may not be necessary’ to boost economy

This week, federal Conservativ leader Erin O’Toole proposed a GST tax holiday that he said would help struggling Canadians as well as support local retailers that have been hit hard by the pandemic. Under the plan, in-store purchases made at retail stores in the month of December would be tax-free.

The plan has so far received mixed reviews. Dan Kelly, president of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business called the policy “gimmicky” and one that “would likely be ridiculously complicated.”

On this episode of Crisis Management, Alicja Siekierska and the Public Policy Forum’s Sean Speer dig into the Conservatives’ proposed GST holiday, what the party is hoping to achieve with the policy and whether it is the most effective approach to help Canadians and business owners.

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