The race for economic announcements continues at the start of the electoral campaign. To respond to the rising cost of living, Québec solidaire (QS) undertakes to suspend the Québec sales tax (QST) on “thousands” of items, including food, non-prescription drugs and body care.
The left-wing party — which calls itself the “portfolio party of Quebecers” — will make the announcement on Tuesday in Montreal. His co-spokesperson, Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois, will be accompanied by three candidates from the region.
“Because of inflation, which is grabbing families by the throat, the government will reap more than $600 million more in QST revenue than expected,” he observed in a press release. That’s a lot of money. I don’t think we should tax essential goods when people have difficulty affording them. »
In practice, this QST suspension would apply as of this year. QS calculates that it will cost the Quebec government two billion dollars over one year. Under a solidarity government, this leave would only end once the inflation rate was restored “to its normal level of 3%”.
QS will remove it [ensuite] gradually to avoid shocks.
In addition to food – bought in grocery stores or at restaurants – the political party wants to put on hold the QST levy for repair services and “all clothing”.
The QS announcement follows those of the Coalition avenir Québec (CAQ), the Liberal Party of Quebec (PLQ) and the Conservative Party of Quebec (PCQ), which all made announcements to reduce the tax and economic burden of Quebecers since the start of the campaign. The three parties promise in particular to lower taxes.
In its program, presented in June, the PLQ undertook to offer a tax holiday on the electricity bill if it is brought to power.
Further details will follow.