.jpg)
1 hour ago
2
Article content
Toronto, March 24, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Today’s Manitoba budget fails to exempt all food, including restaurant meals, from provincial sales tax (PST) to make life more affordable for Manitobans.
THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
- Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman, and others.
- Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.
- Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.
- National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.
- Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.
SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
- Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman and others.
- Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.
- Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.
- National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.
- Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.
REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
- Access articles from across Canada with one account.
- Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.
- Enjoy additional articles per month.
- Get email updates from your favourite authors.
THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
- Access articles from across Canada with one account
- Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments
- Enjoy additional articles per month
- Get email updates from your favourite authors
Sign In or Create an Account
or
Article content
Canadians are struggling with rising living costs. Unlike groceries, restaurant meals are subject to PST in Manitoba, making them more expensive for consumers and adding pressure on foodservice businesses. While the government has announced an exemption from PST for prepared meals sold in grocery stores, the measure ignores that Manitobans regularly look to restaurants for quick and convenient meals for families on the go.
Article content
Article content
Article content
“Manitobans need and deserve support on affordability, but it must be delivered in a way that is fair and protects jobs. Manitobans should not be taxed on rotisserie chicken sold in a restaurant if the same product is going to be exempt from PST in a grocery store,” said Kelly Higginson, President and CEO of Restaurants Canada. “Exempting prepared meals sold at grocery stores from PST, but not those sold at restaurants, would hurt consumers while putting restaurant businesses and their workers at risk.”
Article content
By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.
Article content
Removing the PST from restaurant meals would ease costs for families and support an industry that employs over 42,800 Manitobans, including 19,000 youth. These are critical jobs for communities, especially as they struggle with higher unemployment, affordability and continued economic uncertainty.
Article content
Manitoba’s restaurants drive $3.5B in sales in each year. Every $1M in revenue at a restaurant produces nearly 12 jobs, compared to fewer than four at a grocery store. Across Canada, 44% of restaurants are currently operating at a loss or breaking even, as operating costs continue to rise while consumers are pulling back on restaurant spending.
Article content
Article content
“We recognize the need for broad affordability measures to help Manitobans struggling with the cost of living, but restaurants should not be left out,” added Higginson. “Many Manitobans depend on restaurants for their daily meals, as well as for their livelihoods. We call on the Manitoba government to include restaurant meals in the planned PST exemption.”
Article content
About Restaurants Canada
Restaurants Canada is a national, not-for-profit association advancing Canada’s diverse and dynamic foodservice industry. Restaurants are a $125 billion industry employing 1.2 million Canadians and the number one source of first-time jobs in Canada. Visit restaurantscanada.org for more information.
Article content
Article content
Article content
Article content
Article content
Article content
Article content
English (US)