Back in 2021, with an upcoming election coming up, then conservative leader, Erin O’Toole, promised that, if elected, he would implement a one month GST tax holiday in December.

“It’s getting harder to make ends meet in Canada. After all the suffering Canadians have experienced over the last 18 months, families are now being hit by higher prices. It’s getting harder and harder to afford the basics.”

The Financial Post gave an endorsement to this plan.

“Conservative leader Erin O’Toole is right to promise a GST tax holiday in December if he’s elected.”

Well, it is four years later. Prime Minister Trudeau has announced the two month GST tax holiday, on a number of items, starting December 14. items include books, children’s clothing, children’s toys, alcohol restaurant, meals, and Christmas trees. this plan will cost $1.6 billion in lost revenues.

One would think, given that the conservatives proposed this back in 2021, that Pierre Poilievre would be in support of this. But, no, according to Poilievre, this is just a tax trick. You cannot have it both ways Pierre. If it was commendable back then it remains so now.

To me, this is a much smarter move than the $250 cheques that will be given to anyone who worked in 2023 and made incomes of less than $150,000. it will be less divisive. It will also benefit all Canadians. It will always be far less expensive in terms of the effect on government coffers.

Pierre keeps returning to the eliminate the carbon tax catchphrase, something similar to Trump‘s stop the steal catchphrase. It worked in the US elections. It is questionable whether it will work here.

All I got for today.