QUESTION PERIOD — Finance
Temporary Tax Measures
December 4, 2024
My question is for the Government Representative in the Senate. At this time of year, I go looking for my hanukkiah, which I know I put away last January but cannot find now. It raises this question for me: The GST tax holiday creates an exemption for Christmas trees, but not for hanukkiah menorahs, Hanukkah candles or the candelabras that are par of the Kwanzaa festival, and I am wondering, in this multicultural country in 2024, why the decision was made to only privilege the accoutrements of the Christian festival and not the other festivals that are celebrated at this time of year.
Thank you for your question. It is a question that I would encourage you to ask at committee as we’re studying this bill. Decisions and choices were made.
With respect to hanukkiahs, if you’ll permit me, those are typically not bought year over year. We have had those in our family for many generations.
The point that you raise about the choices that are made in this particular bill can be raised about a large number of products. The fact remains that choices had to be made, and I would encourage you to pose those questions to the minister, who is appearing today, or to other officials as necessary. Thank you for your question.
I suppose artificial Christmas trees are a one-time purchase in the way where if I could find my hanukkiah, I wouldn’t need to buy a new one.
This flows into my next question. I am a big book lover, and I am thrilled that there is a GST holiday on books. Everybody who is on my gift list will know that I will be waiting to buy their books until December 15. But I note with interest that the tax exemption is only on physical books that you can pick up. It does not include online books or audio books that are purchased —
Thank you, Senator Simons.
Again, it does not apply to everything, to be sure. People have choices and will make choices. Having said that, there is a large enough range of products to which this exemption applies, especially for those in far less privileged circumstances than you, me or any of us in this room. I hope and expect they will use them to the full advantage to give themselves a break during this holiday season.
