Justin Trudeau under pressure as his party loses Montreal election
GuardianOct 02
Trudeau Suspends Sales Tax, Offers Canadians Checks
Above: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau participates in a group photo as part of the G20 Summit Rio de Janeiro 2024 at Museu de Arte Moderna on Nov. 19, 2024, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Image copyright: Wagner Meier/Stringer/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Facts
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced a CA$6.3B ($4.5B) economic relief package, including a Goods and Services Tax (GST) break and a CA$250 ($143) rebate check to Canadians making CA$150K ($107K) or less.
The temporary GST break, which will reportedly cost CA$1.6B ($1.14B) on its own, will be in effect between Dec. 14 and Feb. 14. The one-time check, which will go out to an estimated 18.7M Canadians, will be sent in the spring.
The Spin
Right narrative
After causing the cost of living crisis and destroying Canadians with his COVID policies, Trudeau is conducting a shameful vote-buying scheme. Not only is this $250 offer a slap in the face to working Canadians, but many of the food items included in the tax break were already tax-exempt. This plan will not save the prime minister from his inevitable political demise.
Left narrative
Trudeau’s tax policy reflects an effort to provide immediate, broad relief during a global inflation crisis. While no one, not even the prime minister, would claim this is a complete economic solution, these measures demonstrate empathy and address widespread financial struggles, laying the groundwork for future stability.