Image: Anna Komisarenko / Dreamstime / An undated photo of a cannabis plant in a grow-op.

By Victor Kaisar

Cannabis Taxes

BC Craft Farmers Co-Op want cannabis included in proposed Federal GST break

Nov 24, 2024 | 2:10 PM

PRINCE GEORGE — The BC Craft Farmers Co-Op (BCCFC) wants the federal government to reconsider its new GST policy that does not include cannabis among the list of exempt items.

It says its disappointed that the “more harmful alcohol products” were included in Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s so-called GST holiday, which also covers groceries, restaurant meals, children’s clothing and toys, print newspapers and Christmas trees.

“Alcohol contributes to tens of thousands of Canadian deaths each year. The annual societal costs of sales and consumption are estimated at $20 billion. The associated health-care costs exceed $6 billion each year,” BCCFC President Tara Kirkpatrick said, in a statement. “You can’t say the same about cannabis.”

Kirkpatrick says since legalization in 2018, the BCCFC – which represents BC craft cannabis farmers, processors, independent retailers and medical licence holders – has been “concerned” by government policies that are “perpetuating stigmatization of cannabis, particularly compared to alcohol.”

Kirkpatrick has written to Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland to outline her organization’s concerns with the proposed tax break that is set to take effect on Dec. 14 and run until Feb. 15, 2025.

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“While we appreciate the Minister’s desire to make life more affordable for Canadian families, this new GST scheme is another unfortunate example of this unfairness,” Kirkpatrick added. “Why are they favouring alcohol consumption and enterprise over legal cannabis businesses?”

“We hope Canada will listen, add cannabis to the GST exempt list and support a greener, happier holiday season for millions of adult Canadian cannabis consumers.”