Two-month GST holiday bill expected to pass the House today, Conservatives to vote against
CTV
The federal government's five-page piece of legislation to enact Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's promised two-month tax break on a range of consumer goods over the holidays, is expected to pass in the House of Commons by the end of the day.
The federal government's five-page piece of legislation to enact Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's promised two-month tax break on a range of consumer goods over the holidays, is expected to pass in the House of Commons by the end of the day.
As a winding procedural process unfolds in the chamber to see the bill advance, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has confirmed his MPs will be voting against what he said "isn't a tax cut."
"Conservatives will vote against this irresponsible, inflationist… temporary two-month tax trick," Poilievre told reporters on Thursday. "Now is the worst possible time to be blowing $6 billion trying to save Justin Trudeau's political skin."
The minority Liberals introduced Bill C-78 on Wednesday afternoon, revealing the decision to split up the affordability package in the face of political pressure and a ticking clock.
For now, the federal government is focused on enacting the temporary Goods and Services Tax/Harmonized Sales Tax (GST/HST) pause through this bill, leaving the promised $250 "Working Canadians Rebate" cheques in limbo.
"Today is a good day in the House of Commons, but it's also a good day for Canadians. We are voting on and debating… a very important affordability measure that's going to make a difference in the lives of Canadians," said Government House Leader Karina Gould.
"For Pierre Poilievre, the leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, to be opposed to giving Canadians a break over the next couple of months," Gould said. "I just think it's really, really disappointing, and I think unfair and a bit hypocritical from the Conservative leader to be against that."
