A win for members! B.C. HST debate over, food tax fairness restored

(Sep. 2/11) After two years of fighting for food tax fairness, CRFA is pleased the PST – with its restaurant meal tax exemption – will be restored in British Columbia. The result of the HST Referendum – a clear victory for the ‘yes’ (extinguish HST) side of the debate by a comfortable 10 per cent margin – means CRFA members will again work  in an environment of tax certainty and fairness with more money in restaurant customers’ pockets.

PST reintroduced
CRFA is pleased that B.C. Finance Minister Kevin Falcon confirmed the PST will be reintroduced at the same rate with the same exemptions as before the HST. All food will once again be taxed equally in British Columbia.

The government is aiming to re-implement the PST by March 2013 at the latest. Members can be certain CRFA will pressure the federal and provincial governments to make the transition as quickly as possible, to ensure prompt elimination of the extra seven per cent tax customers are paying on restaurant meals.

Moving forward
Working with our members, CRFA is the only business group that consistently challenged the additional restaurant meal tax inherent in the HST. Now that the HST debate is over, CRFA will continue to take the lead on ensuring this PST exemption remains.

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