Background

Updated: December 1, 2024

Prime Minister Trudeau and NDP leader Jagmeet Singh have proposed a two-month GST/HST holiday on certain items including prepared meals, restaurant dining, fast food, toys, books, candy and alcohol from roughly December 14 through to Valentines Day. (Most groceries have always been sold GST-free.)

This first portion of their plan, set out in Bill C-78, was introduced on Wednesday, November 27 and fast-tracked through the House of Commons – with virtually no debate or opportunity for amendments – on Thursday, November 29. At Third Reading in the House, the Conservative caucus and I voted against Bill C-78. The government will fast-track Bill C-78 through the Senate over the coming days.

The Liberal-NDP Coalition also plans to send $250 cheques to working Canadians who earned a net income of $150,000 or less in 2023. But millions of retired Canadians, disabled or vulnerable individuals and, potentially, self-employed and unemployed individuals will not receive these cheques.

The entire package is expected to cost the Canadian treasury approximately $6 billion and will be added to Canada's $1.4 trillion federal debt.

While a GST/HST break may be welcome news for many financially-stretched households here in Oshawa, Trudeau and Singh still plan to hit us with another dose of Carbon Tax pain next Spring. 

On April 1, 2025, they plan increase the Carbon Tax by 19% – the third big increase in just three years – and jack up the cost of your home heating, gasoline, groceries and other essentials.

Canada's Parliamentary Budget Officer has proven that the Trudeau-NDP Carbon Tax will cost the average Oshawa household between $377 and $911 in 2024/25 – even after a household's federal rebates are factored in.

Before I vote on the next round of legislation, I'd like to know your thoughts.

Do you support the Trudeau-Singh proposal? Or do you want a Carbon Tax election now?

This survey has just one question and you'll be able to add your comments on the page flip.