BC Craft Farmers Co-Op calls for feds to include cannabis in GST exemptions

The BC Craft Farmers Co-Op is calling on the federal government to include cannabis in the list of GST exemptions.

Last week, the federal government announced the temporary tax break on a number of items.

A release from the feds said the GST or HST (in some provinces) will not apply to:

• Prepared foods, including vegetable trays, pre-made meals and salads, and sandwiches;
• Restaurant meals, whether dine-in, takeout, or delivery;
• Snacks, including chips, candy, and granola bars;
• Beer, wine, cider, and pre-mixed alcoholic beverages below 7 per cent ABV;
• Children’s clothing and footwear, car seats, and diapers;
• Children’s toys, such as board games, dolls, and video game consoles;
• Books, print newspapers, and puzzles for all ages; and,
• Christmas trees.

With some types of alcohol included in the exemptions, the BC Craft Farmers Co-Op is calling on the federal government to reconsider the policy that omits cannabis products.

“We just want to even the playing field, we feel that cannabis is safer, as far as recreational goes, and it’s medicine for many people, where alcohol causes nothing but costs on our healthcare system,” said Nadine Furnell, Director of the BC Craft Farmers Co-op.

In a release, BC Craft Farmers Co-Op President Tara Kirkpatrick said, “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. You can’t say the same about cannabis. We hope Canada will listen, add Canada to the exempt list and support a greener, happier holiday season for millions of adult Canadian cannabis consumers.”

My Prince George Now reached out to the Department of Finance Canada for comment on why cannabis is not included and received the following response:

“The GST tax break for all Canadians and Working Canadians’ Rebate is a recognition that, while inflation is back within target and interest rates are coming down, not everyone is feeling that progress yet. The government can’t set prices at the checkout, but it can give Canadians a break on essentials and holiday gifts – to help them afford the things they need and save for the things they want. And that is exactly what the government is doing.”

Furnell said the BC Craft Farmer’s Co-Op has not been given a reason as to why cannabis was not included, and they have sent a letter to the Prime Minister’s office with no response to date.

They have also sent an open letter to Federal Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, asking for cannabis to be included.

Furnell added she feels public perception of cannabis use is slowly becoming more acceptable.

“That’s part of the stigma that we try and break as well,” she explained.

“When the government legalized cannabis, they did it with high THC push, not giving consideration to any other elements of the plant that are used for medical purposes, and with no educational component, just high THC and nothing else.”

Furnell added they’re actively trying to educate the public where they can, which she said is a challenge.

“People are getting there, and they’re realizing there are many beneficial components to the plant other than THC,” she said.

“That’s just one minor component of the plant, there’s many other components of the plant that have been used for tens of thousands of years in ancient cultures throughout history.”

Furnell said it’s tough to break the “devil’s lettuce” stigma, but they’re getting there, saying craft brewers faced a similar challenge.

“They faced many hurdles as craft breweries getting in, and we’re facing similar pushback on the government on this.”

It’s tax holiday is expected to start on December 14th, and last until February 15th.