‘More than just a fad’: Federal petition seeks tax relief for those with celiac disease

Groceries aren't cheap -- especially for those who medically require gluten-free diets. A request to parliament is seeking to change that for people with celiac disease.

A new federal petition has been launched, and calls for a $1,000 refundable tax credit for people with celiac disease, like Betsy Hiebert.

Today, Hiebert owns a certified gluten free bakery in Winnipeg called Cocoabeans Gluten-Free, but over a decade ago — when she was first diagnosed with celiac disease — she was at a loss.

“It’s really scary because you feel like all your food options have been taken away, like everything that you used to be able to eat safely or you saw it safely is what was actually making you sick,” she said.

The disruption to her social life ate at her.

“You feel kind of left out. I don’t even want to go out and eat. I don’t even want to be out with my friends or my family because it just feels not inclusive, right? You can’t participate fully like you would have, and I think that’s the part that it kind of alienates you,” she said.

Then there was — and is — the astronomical cost.

According to data from Celiac Canada, the price of gluten-free food is 150- to 500-per cent higher than their gluten-containing counterparts.

“My husband can eat gluten, he’s the only one in the family and he buys his sort of rustic loaf of bread for $6.99. Well, my bread, you know, is $11,” Hiebert said as one example, adding the cost of truly gluten-free ingredients are also an expense for her bakery.