If you like to take a drink now and again, get ready to be paying more.
An automatic escalating tax on spirits, wine and beer takes effect next April.
Jan Westcott is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Spirits Canada and he says the federal government has quietly imposed the tax hike.
Westcott says the increase will mean bar owners and eventually patrons will be impacted, noting it will be costing us a lot more than “pennies”.
He warns bar owners will likely have to cut staff as alcohol consumption will go down.
Westcott says right now when you by a bottle of spirits, 80% of the price goes to the federal government in the form of taxes and he calls this nothing but another cash grab.
Westcott says just as Canada continues to increase excise tax on our product, the U.S. is significantly lowering excise tax on beer, wine and spirits.
He says that means our ability to compete to attract conventions and tourists to Canada will decline.
The organization has launched a “Not On My Tab” campaign to lobby against the increase.
More information is available at https://notonmytab.ca/
