QUESTION PERIOD — Finance
Temporary Tax Measures
December 3, 2024
My question is for the Government Representative in the Senate. It is also related to the GST holiday.
This time of year, many of us like to pick up magazines as stocking stuffers or to pass the time on a cold winter night. However, whereas the GST holiday specifically exempts newspapers and books, it does not include magazines purchased from the newsstand. I am wondering why that is so, given that magazines are under incredible duress right now because of the postal strike.
Thank you. As one who consumes magazines and books myself, I certainly do not want to minimize, in any respect, by what I am about to say, the importance of that.
Choices had to be made. This is not an across-the-board cut. It is not a permanent cut. It was a temporary measure to provide much-needed relief to families with regard to the holiday period. The fact that not every product was covered is simply a consequence of it having to be focused — limited in time and scope — so that it would remain fiscally responsible.
Thank you very much.
Ironically, although magazines purchased on the newsstand are not covered by the GST exemption, some magazines by subscription are covered, but only for the length of time that the subscription covers the period of holiday, which is not that useful.
In light of the continuing postal strike, will there be any relief for magazine publishers, who are now facing real consequences regarding production schedules and layoffs of staff, in light of the fact that their magazines —
I understand the challenges the postal strike is imposing in many sectors of our economy. The charitable sector comes to mind. Thank you for underlining the impact on publications.
I am not aware of any programs focused on that. I will certainly make inquiries with the minister.
