MP Gord Brown and the official opposition are taking a hard stance against the federal government’s proposed tax on alcohol.
MP Brown and the Conservative Party of Canada are opposed to a tax included in the Liberal government’s budget that would see a two per cent increase on beer, wine and spirits. MP Brown argues that not only would these products become more expensive the tax would also damage to important Canadian industries like tourism. According to a press release from MP Brown’s office the tax increase would give Canada one of the highest excise duties of any wine-importing country. They add that over the past 30 years there has been a 125 percent increase to Canadian excise duties.
This policy was tried by the Trudeau government during the 1980’s but didn’t stay on the books. MP Brown’s office says tens of thousands of Canadians are employed in the beer, wine and spirit industry including many here in the Leeds Grenville area. MP Brown says “Our team is fighting to keep taxes low for all Canadians” adding that “It is not fair for any industry to be singled out by an indefinitely increasing tax”.
If the legislation goes through unchanged excise taxes will start increasing annually on April 1st of 2018.
