On Thursday, Saskatchewan NDP Shadow Minister Parks, Culture & Sport Darcy Warrington kicked off a new campaign calling for the Sask. Party to make summer picnics more affordable for families.
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.
“Summer picnics should not subjected to this ridiculous Sask. Party tax,” Warrington said. “We hear every day from families who can barely make ends meet. Why would this government want to make even a casual summertime picnic stressful by piling on taxes that people simply can’t afford?”
In all, Saskatchewan people pay more than $25 million in taxes charged by the province on groceries. That tax is stacked on top of inflation that has skyrocketed in recent years, the highest rent increases in the country and the constant threat of tariffs that will only drive food prices even higher.
Statistics Canada found in June that food inflation in Saskatchewan increased by 3.8% year over year – higher than the national average. The Canada Food Price Report estimates the average family of four will pay up to $800 more for groceries in 2025.
Warrington said, with all of these cost pressures, there’s never been a better time for the Sask. Party to axe its grocery tax.
“The people of Saskatchewan deserve a government that will make life more affordable, not less affordable,” Warrington said. “Stop ruining summer picnics for families.”
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