SASKATCHEWAN NDP DEMANDS SASK. PARTY END HORRENDOUS GROCERY TAX AS FOOD PRICES CONTINUE TO RISE

Sask. Party Has Tried To Say Tax Doesn’t Exist, Their Own Books Show They Add $25 Million Annual To Family Food Bills

SASKATOON – The Saskatchewan NDP is demanding Scott Moe and the Sask. Party immediately cut their tax on family grocery bills as new data shows food prices continue to rise in the province.

According to new Statistics Canada released Tuesday, food prices rose again in July and are now up 3.2 per cent year-over-year. The cost of food purchased in restaurants also continues to rise and is up 4.1 per cent year-over-year.

The Sask. Party imposed a tax on groceries in 2017. Since then, food prices have skyrocketed, rising more than 27 per cent in Canada over the past five years alone. Despite this, the Sask. Party has refused repeated calls to axe their grocery tax.

“Can you imagine that? A 27 per cent increase in the cost to feed your family and, still, the Sask. Party stacks its own horrendous grocery tax on top,” said Darcy Warrington, Saskatchewan NDP Shadow Minister for Parks, Culture and Sport.

“This government clearly doesn’t care about families. Every day, we hear from people who can’t make ends meet — who are being forced to choose between putting food on the table and keeping a roof over their head — and here we have the Sask. Party only adding to that financial stress. It’s shameful.”

Multiple public opinion polls over the past year have found financial anxiety is higher in Saskatchewan than any other Canadian province. The Sask. Party grocery tax costs families $25 million annually. The Canada Food Price Report estimates the average family of four will pay up to $800 more for groceries in 2025.

In his Shadow Minister role, Warrington has been working this summer to raise awareness about how the grocery tax directly impacts summer barbecues and picnics.

Summertime favourites currently subjected to Scott Moe and Co.’s tax include cheese and cold-cut platters, salted nuts and seeds, ready-to-eat sandwiches, fruit-and-vegetable platters, prepared salads, fruit beverages and, of course, rotisserie chickens.

“Families deserve the opportunity to relax and enjoy time with loved ones during our incredible Saskatchewan summers,” Warrington. “Instead, we have the Sask. Party picking their pockets at every turn.

“A Saskatchewan NDP Government led by Carla Beck will put an immediate stop to the Sask. Party grocery tax.

“We are focused on building a future where life is affordable for every person who calls our incredible province home.”

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